As the tennis world gears up for the 2025 French Open, Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American superstar, is giving fans an unprecedented opportunity to own a piece of her burgeoning legacy. The reigning US Open champion and world No. 3 recently announced an exciting collaboration with Topps, unveiling a one-of-a-kind trading card featuring a relic from the racket she wielded during her triumphant 2023 season. Shared on Instagram with an action shot of herself pointing to her racket, Gauff teased, “The racket I played with is going into a 1/1 trading card Follow @topps for more details! #ad.” This unique offering, part of the 2024 “Topps Royalty Tennis” debut collection, includes a 1-of-1 autographed racket knob relic with a subtle dent, making it a coveted treasure for collectors and fans alike. As Gauff prepares to chase her second Grand Slam title on the clay courts of Roland Garros, where she reached the final in 2022, this announcement underscores her growing influence both on and off the court.
Gauff’s rise from teenage prodigy to global icon has been nothing short of meteoric. At 15, she stunned the tennis world by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon 2019, becoming the youngest player to qualify for the main draw in the Open Era. “I’m a product of their legacy and all the trials and tribulations they had to go through,” Gauff said, reflecting on her connection to trailblazers like Venus and Serena Williams after her 2023 US Open victory. That triumph, a thrilling comeback against Aryna Sabalenka, marked her as the youngest American to win the title since Serena in 1999. Now, with 10 career singles titles, including the 2024 WTA Finals and nine doubles titles, such as the 2024 French Open doubles crown with Jessica Pegula, Gauff is a force. Her 2024 season, which saw her go 3-for-3 in finals and earn a record $4.8 million at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, solidified her as a leader in the post-Serena era.
The Topps trading card, featuring a piece of Gauff’s racket, is more than a collectible—it’s a tangible link to her journey. The “Topps Royalty Tennis” collection also showcases other American stars like Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz, but Gauff’s card stands out, its dented knob a testament to the intensity of her play. “It’s one of the most coveted cards in the entire release,” collectors have noted, highlighting the buzz around this exclusive item. Gauff’s announcement comes at a pivotal moment as she prepares for Roland Garros, where she enters as the No. 2 seed despite a challenging clay season. Her 2025 Italian Open semifinal loss to Jasmine Paolini, marked by 55 unforced errors, exposed ongoing struggles with double faults and consistency. “I think for me, I guess, yeah, with the double-faults, it’s something I know I have to improve and do better,” Gauff admitted post-match, her honesty endearing her to fans.
Despite these setbacks, Gauff’s clay court pedigree is formidable. Her 2018 French Open junior title and 2022 final run, where she fell to Iga Swiatek, showcase her affinity for the surface. “I really enjoy sliding,” Gauff said, noting how clay enhances her elite movement. Her athleticism, described by compatriot Ben Shelton as resembling “a male player” for its explosive defense, remains a superpower. At Indian Wells in 2025, she reflected on her growth: “I think just accepting the highs and lows. It just takes one match or two matches to kind of get that confidence back.” This resilience will be key in Paris, where she faces stiff competition from Swiatek, Sabalenka, and emerging talents like Alexandra Eala. A controversial call during her 2024 French Open semifinal loss to Swiatek, which left her in tears, underscored her passion: “I always have to advocate for myself,” she told the umpire.
Off the court, Gauff’s impact is equally profound. A Delray Beach native, she recently refurbished local tennis courts through the USTA’s $3 million US Open Legacy Initiative, honoring her 2023 title. “I am a product of the strong community — and the village it took to get me to where I am now,” she said at the unveiling. Her advocacy, from speaking at a 2020 Black Lives Matter rally to addressing gun violence in 2022, cements her as a Gen Z icon. “I want to pour into the communities that poured into me,” she told reporters, emphasizing her commitment to inspiring the next generation. As she eyes a Paris medal—after missing Tokyo 2020 due to COVID—Gauff’s trading card offers fans a chance to hold a piece of her story, one defined by tenacity, talent, and a vision to change the world with her racket.
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