Coco Gauff’s latest appearance has ignited a wave of admiration and discussion, as the tennis star unveiled a striking new hair transformation that pays a clear and heartfelt “homage” to the legendary Venus and Serena Williams. The 20-year-old’s evolving style, particularly her hair, has become a point of interest, reflecting a broader narrative of self-expression within the world of professional tennis.
This transformation is more than just a change in appearance; it’s a powerful statement of respect and inspiration. Gauff, a prominent figure in the next generation of tennis, has openly acknowledged the profound influence of the Williams sisters, not only on her career but also on her understanding of personal style and identity.
“I remember obviously watching Venus and Serena when I was young,” Gauff expressed, highlighting the formative impact of the Williams sisters on her early years. “This look is kind of an homage to them. They’ve always changed their hair. They had the beads, they had the braids, they had the curls, they had straight, they had everything.”1
This statement underscores the significant role that Venus and Serena played in normalizing and celebrating diverse hairstyles within a sport that has historically lacked such representation. For Gauff, their willingness to experiment and express themselves through their hair was a source of inspiration.
“When I became more aware of what I wanted to do with my hair, I was taking inspiration and taking note of what they were doing with their hair,” she added.2 This reveals a deeper connection to the Williams sisters’ legacy, one that extends beyond their athletic achievements.
The conversation around Gauff’s hair transformation also touches on the complex dynamics of being a Black woman in a predominantly white sport. She has been very open about the pressures of those dynamics.
“I think, as a Black woman especially in a predominantly white sport, you’re obviously very aware of your hair and how it’s perceived. I remember thinking, ‘Is it too Black? Is it too much? Is it too much color?'” she said.3 This candid reflection highlights the internal dialogue that many Black athletes face when navigating their identity in the public eye.
Gauff’s decision to embrace diverse hairstyles is a form of empowerment, a way to reclaim her narrative and challenge societal expectations. “Even if it looked messy, you just didn’t care because I feel like the same grace isn’t given to us as to others so you should just give yourself that grace and force people to give you that grace as well,” she4 explained.
Furthermore, Gauff has talked about how having role models like the Williams sisters helped her feel more comfortable in a sport that at times made her feel like she stood out. “But I feel like for me, having role models like Serena and Venus to look up to made a difference.” she has stated.
Her recent hair transformation follows other various changes of hairstyle that she has shown. For example, she has worn her hair in intricately-woven cornrows that seamlessly transform into a bun. She has also explained that protective hair styles are very important to her.
Her current changes, and also her continued desire to highlight black hair styles, shows that Coco Gauff is not just a tennis player, but also a person who is using her large platform to influence the world in a positive way.