Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old tennis phenom and reigning French Open champion, traded her tennis racket for a cowboy hat in a dazzling display of style at Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour stop at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Fresh off a disappointing first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025, where she fell to Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, Gauff embraced the electric atmosphere of the concert, channeling the Western vibe of Beyoncé’s chart-topping album. Her head-turning brown leather romper and cowboy-inspired accessories not only captured the night’s spirit but also set social media ablaze, proving she’s a champion of fashion as much as she is on the court.
Gauff’s outfit was a masterclass in Western glamour, perfectly aligning with the rodeo-chic theme of Beyoncé’s tour, which celebrates the Black roots of country music. The two-time Grand Slam winner donned a sleeveless brown leather romper, tailored to accentuate her athletic frame with intricate stitching that evoked vintage Western runways. She elevated the look with a studded belt that cinched her waist, adding a touch of grit, and a pair of tall brown cowboy boots with silver embellishments. The pièce de résistance was a suede cowboy hat adorned with sparkling crystal stars, which caught the stadium lights as she danced and sang along. Gauff even pulled out a matching brown fan, a playful nod to Southern charm that completed her transformation into a BeyHive cowgirl. “Cause she’s gonna SLAY on and off the court EVERY single TIME!!!” one fan gushed on social media, while another playfully suggested, “OK, we need you to wear this to the U.S. Open.”
The night was more than a fashion statement for Gauff—it was a moment of pure joy and connection. Attending the concert with her boyfriend, Jalen Sera, the couple soaked up the vibrant energy of Beyoncé’s performance, which featured hits like “Ya-Ya” and “Levii’s Jeans” alongside classics like “Crazy In Love.” Gauff’s Instagram stories lit up with clips of her singing along to “Bodyguard” and vibing to Jay-Z’s surprise appearance, captioning one post with a simple “queen” in homage to Beyoncé. The highlight of the evening came when Beyoncé waved at Gauff from the stage, a moment that left the tennis star starstruck. “Beyoncé waved at me during her show last night & I met the queen, Ms. Tina Knowles! I cannot believe my life,” Gauff posted on X, her excitement palpable. “I am so grateful for it. Thank you to the both of them for a moment I will never forget!” Her audio reaction, shared online, captured her living fully in the moment, though she laughed, “This video sucks.”
Gauff’s connection to Beyoncé runs deep. A long-time fan, she’s previously cited the superstar as an inspiration, even crediting thoughts of the Renaissance Tour for helping her stay calm during her 2023 US Open run. “When I’m playing tennis, I think about a lot of things outside of tennis. I was thinking about the Renaissance Tour during my match,” she said after a comeback win that year. This time, Gauff got to experience Beyoncé’s artistry up close, joined by Sera, who commented “Bang!” on her Instagram post, sparking playful banter between the couple. Their relationship, made official earlier in 2025, added a sweet layer to the night, with Sera sharing his own photos from the concert, captioning them with enthusiasm for the unforgettable experience.
The Cowboy Carter Tour, which kicked off in Los Angeles on April 28 and concludes in Las Vegas on July 25, has become a cultural phenomenon, blending Beyoncé’s genre-defying music with theatrical visuals like mechanical bulls and a star-shaped stage. Gauff’s appearance alongside Tina Knowles, Beyoncé’s mother, was a highlight, with the duo posing for a glamorous shot that radiated multigenerational star power. Knowles, sporting a black cowboy hat, matched Gauff’s energy, amplifying the night’s celebratory vibe. The concert’s fashion-forward atmosphere, inspired by Beyoncé’s custom looks from designers like Mugler and Burberry, encouraged fans to embrace Western flair, and Gauff’s outfit was a standout, earning her comparisons to a runway model.
Gauff’s tennis season has been a rollercoaster, with a stellar 31-10 record and a French Open title in June, where she defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling comeback. Her Wimbledon upset, however, marked a low point, with Yastremska stunning the No. 2 seed 7-6(3), 6-1. Yet, Gauff’s resilience shines through, both in her ability to bounce back from setbacks and in her off-court charisma. As she gears up for the North American hard-court season, including the US Open where she won her first Major in 2023, Gauff’s Atlanta outing was a reminder of her ability to captivate, whether smashing forehands or stealing the show in cowboy boots. Her cowgirl look, as one fan put it, was “podium-worthy,” cementing her status as a style icon and a force to be reckoned with.
Leave a Reply