Coco Gauff, the newly crowned 2025 French Open champion, has solidified her status as a global tennis superstar, but fans are buzzing about more than just her on-court heroics. Her 2023 cameo in the CW’s *All American: Homecoming* has resurfaced in conversations, with viewers noting that the episode, filmed before her meteoric rise, requires two key updates to reflect her current accolades. The 21-year-old American, who stunned the tennis world by defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 to claim her second Grand Slam title, played herself in the show’s second season, episode 14, titled “Stand Up for Something.” As Gauff’s star continues to shine, fans are eager for the series to align her on-screen portrayal with her real-life achievements.
In the episode, aired on March 30, 2023, Gauff appears at the fictional Bringston University, a historically Black college in Atlanta—her real-life hometown—where she inspires aspiring tennis players. The show, a spinoff of *All American*, follows Simone Hicks, portrayed by Geffri Maya, as she navigates her dream of becoming a professional tennis player. Gauff’s cameo was a powerful moment, particularly as she stood in solidarity with the Bringston women’s tennis team, who faced racial profiling during a traffic stop inspired by a real 2022 incident involving Delaware State University’s women’s lacrosse team. “Obviously we’re a drama, we’re going to have the obstacles and all that stuff but, when push comes comes to shove, this is a sisterhood of Black female tennis players,” said showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll, emphasizing the significance of Gauff’s appearance in supporting the team’s protest against injustice.
However, fans have pointed out that the episode’s references to Gauff as “No. 4 in the world” and “French Open finalist” are now outdated. Her 2025 French Open victory, coupled with her career-high ranking of world No. 2, has prompted calls for revisions. “Now Highest ranking #2 in the world and French Open Champion,” one fan posted online, highlighting the need for updated descriptors. Another echoed, “They gotta fix that cameo to say ‘French Open champ’ and ‘world No. 2’—Coco’s way past finalist now!” These sentiments reflect Gauff’s remarkable journey since filming, which includes her 2023 US Open title, 2024 WTA Finals win, and a 2024 French Open doubles crown alongside Katerina Siniakova.
Gauff’s acting experience was a departure from her comfort zone on the tennis court. At a 2023 press conference, she admitted the process tested her patience: “I didn’t realize how many times you have to do a scene over and over and over again. Drills in tennis are repetitive, but I think that’s even more repetitive.” She rated her performance a modest “2 out of 10,” while her brother gave her a slightly kinder “3 out of 10,” though she found the cast, including Maya and Camille Hyde, who plays tennis prodigy Thea Mays, to be a highlight. “The cast were really nice people: Geffri, Camille, all people that I would do it again just to meet them all over again,” she said, though she added, “Watching myself on TV was probably the most excruciating pain I ever had to experience. I hated it!”
The cameo’s cultural impact remains undeniable. Gauff, inspired by Serena and Venus Williams, represents a new generation of Black women in tennis, a narrative *All American: Homecoming* amplifies through its focus on representation. “I think people take for granted what it takes to be excellent in a sport like tennis,” Carroll noted, praising Gauff’s role in giving visibility to Black female athletes. Gauff’s on-screen moment, where she supports the team’s stand against racial profiling, resonated deeply, especially as she drew parallels to real-world issues faced by Black women like Sandra Bland and Breonna Taylor.
As Gauff prepares for Wimbledon, where she’s reached the fourth round three times, her French Open triumph has elevated expectations. Her resilience in Paris, overcoming a set deficit against Sabalenka, showcased her mental fortitude, inspired by role models like Simone Biles and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. “The fighting spirit, I think it’s something that I’ve had naturally, but trying to be more positive is something I had to work on,” Gauff said post-match, crediting her growth to these icons. With the CW canceling *All American: Homecoming* after its third season, which aired in July 2024, fans may not see an updated cameo, but Gauff’s real-life achievements continue to inspire. From a 15-year-old upsetting Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019 to a two-time Grand Slam champion, Gauff’s journey is a testament to her talent and tenacity, both on the court and on the screen.
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