In the whirlwind of her 2025 tennis season, Coco Gauff, the world No. 3 and 2023 US Open champion, found a moment to bridge her athletic stardom with the creative world of music and photography. The 20-year-old American tennis sensation recently took to social media to drop a succinct yet telling two-word reaction—“Super cool”—to a stunning cover shot featuring folk-pop artist Faye Webster. The image, part of Webster’s Tiny Desk Concert promotion, captured the singer’s signature blend of introspective charm and visual artistry, resonating with Gauff in a way that highlights their shared knack for shining in the spotlight.
Gauff’s comment wasn’t just a casual nod; it underscored a fascinating parallel between the two young talents. Both have carved out spaces in their respective fields—Gauff on the tennis court, Webster in the music studio—while captivating audiences with their authenticity and creative flair. Webster, a 27-year-old Atlanta native, is celebrated for her soulful folk melodies and her lesser-known but equally compelling photography work. Her recent Tiny Desk Concert, part of NPR’s iconic video series launched in 2007, showcased her hit songs performed with a raw, homegrown intimacy. The cover shot that caught Gauff’s eye radiated Webster’s artistic duality: a musician who frames the world through both sound and lens.
For Gauff, whose life is a whirlwind of high-stakes matches and global travel, this moment of connection reflects her ability to stay grounded in culture beyond tennis. “I love seeing people express themselves, whether it’s through music, art, or anything creative,” Gauff said in a recent interview, echoing the sentiment behind her reaction to Webster’s work. The tennis star, who hails from Delray Beach, Florida, has herself become a cultural figure, not just for her athletic prowess but for her engagement with fashion, music, and social issues. Her recent appearance at the 2025 Oscars, where she turned heads on the red carpet alongside her mother, Candi, showed her comfort in high-profile settings far removed from the baseline.
The parallels between Gauff and Webster run deeper than their shared appreciation for a good cover shot. Both women have risen to prominence in their 20s, navigating the pressures of public life while staying true to their roots. Gauff, who burst onto the tennis scene at 15 by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019, has since amassed a 2023 US Open singles title and a 2024 French Open doubles crown. Webster, meanwhile, has built a cult following with albums like Underdressed at the Symphony, blending indie folk with R&B influences. Her photography, often intimate and evocative, complements her music, much like Gauff’s off-court ventures—such as her Miu Miu x New Balance collaboration—enhance her athletic persona.
Gauff’s “Super cool” comment also hints at her growing interest in music and visual arts. During the 2025 Australian Open, where she reached the quarterfinals before falling to Paula Badosa, Gauff mourned the US TikTok ban by writing “RIP TikTok USA” on a camera lens, revealing her connection to digital culture. She later shared that the ban might push her to “read more books,” but her engagement with Webster’s Tiny Desk moment suggests she’s still tuned into the creative pulse. Webster’s concert, filmed in a setting that evokes the cozy chaos of a home studio, resonated with Gauff, who often speaks about finding comfort in familiar spaces amid her hectic schedule.
The connection between these two stars also speaks to a broader cultural moment where athletes and artists increasingly intersect. Gauff, like Webster, is part of a generation that values multidisciplinary expression. Her recent $100,000 donation to fund tennis scholarships at HBCUs reflects her commitment to giving back, much as Webster’s photography amplifies underrepresented voices in her art. “It’s about using your platform to inspire,” Gauff has said, a philosophy that aligns with Webster’s approach to blending music and visual storytelling.
As Gauff prepares for the Italian Open in May 2025, where she’ll debut her Miu Miu x New Balance collection, her brief but meaningful exchange with Webster’s work reminds fans that she’s more than a tennis prodigy. She’s a young woman navigating fame, creativity, and cultural influence with the same ease as a forehand winner. Webster, now touring internationally, continues to redefine folk music while capturing the world through her lens. Together, their shared moment—sparked by a cover shot and sealed with two words—celebrates the power of art and athleticism to connect across worlds.