Coco Gauff Shines on Oscars Red Carpet Before Indian Wells Tournament

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Before competing in the upcoming BNP Paribas Open, Coco Gauff made a stunning appearance at the 97th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday. The 20-year-old tennis star, who is the reigning U.S. Open champion and currently ranked No. 3 in the world, showcased her fashion sense in a custom Miu Miu gown.

During a media day on Tuesday, Gauff described her preparation for the Oscars as rigorous, starting at 9:30 a.m. for an event that began at 4 p.m. local time. “It was a super long day,” she said. “It was cool to just be in a different space and a different world.” Gauff noted that Miu Miu collaborated with her to create two looks: one for the awards ceremony and another for the Vanity Fair after-party, both tailored to accentuate her style.

Gauff’s Oscar gown featured cascading yellow fabric that garnered attention on the red carpet. “It was kind of hard to walk in with a lot of people stepping on the back of the dress, so I had to carry the dress with me as I walked,” she said, adding that her Vanity Fair outfit was more practical.

The young athlete was surprised by the number of attendees who recognized her, especially Hollywood icon Samuel L. Jackson. “The person I was most surprised about was definitely Samuel L. Jackson,” Gauff recalled. “He came up to me, I took a photo with him, he took one with me, and then introduced me to Whoopi Goldberg.” Other celebrities she encountered included Halle Bailey and Ben Stiller, whom she invited to watch her play.

Gauff enters the Indian Wells tournament with a first-round bye, poised to face the winner of a match between 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu and her opponent on Wednesday. Last year, she reached the semifinals at Indian Wells.

Previously, Gauff concluded the 2024 season with impressive performances, including a title in Beijing and participation in the inaugural PIF WTA Finals in Riyadh. Although recent losses in Doha and Dubai raised concerns about her form, Gauff remains unfazed. “Everybody makes a bigger deal than what it is, I lost two matches,” she stated. “I’m going to lose back-to-back again. Hopefully it doesn’t happen too many times in my career.”

As Gauff prepares for the BNP Paribas Open, she expressed optimism about the tournament’s conditions. “The ball doesn’t bounce as much for us who play with more spin,” she explained, indicating that the new courts at Indian Wells may benefit her playing style.

Reflecting on her Oscar experience, Gauff emphasized her appreciation for seeing familiar faces and her burgeoning role in both tennis and popular culture. “I want to be more than just a tennis player and step into other roles,” she said. As she turns 21 next week, Gauff is excited to balance her athletic career with her passion for fashion.