Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, and her podcast co-host, Caitlin Thompson, recently offered their perspectives on Coco Gauff’s outfit for the 2024 WTA Finals. During a recent episode of the “Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast,” both tennis commentators discussed Gauff’s clothing choices throughout the year, noting their particular admiration for her ensemble in Riyadh. Thompson, in particular, praised the outfit and contrasted it with some of the more revealing attire that the 20-year-old has worn in previous tournaments.
Gauff, who captured her maiden WTA Finals title with an impressive 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) comeback victory over China’s Zheng Qinwen, drew attention not only for her brilliant performance on the court but also for her striking all-purple New Balance outfit. Zheng, on the other hand, sported a Nike ensemble in a lighter purple shade, creating a visual harmony between the two competitors. Thompson highlighted the synergy of their color choices and praised Gauff’s appearance, calling it the best she had seen from the young American star.
“I love that the finalists wore purple. Coco’s New Balance kit was the best I’ve seen her in,” Thompson commented, reflecting on how well Gauff’s outfit complemented her dynamic playing style. Rennae Stubbs agreed that Gauff’s clothing has been consistently on point throughout the season, with fans frequently lauding her style choices. However, Thompson elaborated on her observations, noting that while Gauff’s past outfits were never unflattering due to her impressive physique, they were often “extremely tight” and “very revealing.”
“But her stuff is so good,” Stubbs interjected, reinforcing her positive view of Gauff’s fashion sense.
Thompson continued by explaining why the Riyadh ensemble stood out to her: “Her stuff is often good, but a lot of times they put her in extremely tight and very revealing clothes. This one I felt like was quite… She’s got an insane physique, so it’s not like anything’s going to be unflattering on her, but this one for me just was 10/10.”
In addition to praising Gauff’s style, Caitlin Thompson also expressed her admiration for Zheng Qinwen’s poise and attitude on the podium after the final. She noted Zheng’s confident demeanor, likening it to a cover-worthy fashion shoot. “Then I really loved Qinwen’s sass on the podium. I don’t know if you saw but she was giving a lot of, ‘I’m on Vogue China’s cover right now.’ And it didn’t look like she was that pleased with the loss,” Thompson remarked.
Rennae Stubbs and Thompson also discussed Zheng’s apparent frustration with the outcome, which was visible during the trophy ceremony and highlighted by what they described as a “frosty” handshake with Gauff. “No, she was pissed. Did you see the handshake?” Stubbs asked, to which Thompson replied, “Yeah, frosty.” Their commentary captured not only the competitive spirit between the players but also the emotional highs and lows that come with competing at the sport’s highest levels.
Beyond the court, Coco Gauff stunned in a different kind of purple ensemble—a full-length gown—during the official photoshoot for the 2024 WTA Finals. The dress, designed by Saudi designer Yousef Akbar, showcased Gauff’s elegance and paid tribute to local talent. During her pre-tournament press conference, Gauff expressed her excitement about collaborating with Akbar, who has previously designed for global icons like Beyoncé and has been featured in Vogue Arabia.
“Yeah, I thought it would be cool to first just highlight a designer from here. His name is Yousef Akbar. He’s won an award. I think the dress is featured on the cover of Vogue Arabia. He’s dressed Beyoncé and all these crazy celebrities,” Gauff explained. The young star’s decision to wear a gown by Akbar not only reflected her appreciation for fashion but also demonstrated her respect for regional culture and talent.
Gauff went on to express her delight at how the photoshoot turned out, emphasizing the exceptional craftsmanship of Arab designers. “For me, it’s really important to highlight that. I’m happy with how the photos turned out. The dress looked great on me. I think also Arab designers do the gowns and draping the best, to be honest,” she said.
After wrapping up a triumphant campaign in Riyadh, Gauff returned home to Florida to begin her off-season. True to her grounded and family-oriented personality, the 20-year-old shared a heartwarming moment with her grandmother over a seafood boil, a well-earned treat after weeks of intense competition. In a social media post, she shared glimpses of their outing, captioning, “Seafood date with my gma. Loll after being overseas and in season all I wanted was a seafood boil and I’m hitting up Wing Stop tmmrw best believe.”
Coco Gauff’s 2024 WTA Finals journey exemplifies her incredible talent and poise both on and off the court. As she enjoys some downtime, she remains a role model, showing that even amid the glitz and glamor of high-profile tennis tournaments, family and genuine moments of joy are what matter most. With her impressive win, stylish presence, and heartfelt connections, Gauff continues to captivate audiences around the world. Her path forward promises to be filled with even more victories, fashion statements, and moments of inspiration.