Chasing Perfection
Vogue US|April 2024
Coco Gauff is as famous for her poise as she is for her tennis, and in person she cuts a regal figure. The Friday before last season's finals began in Cancún, Mexico, in late October, she and other top players attended a gala at the palatial Kempinski Hotel.
Chasing Perfection

The 19-year-old American strode in wearing a white linen sundress. Side cutouts at the waist, embellished with faux coral, highlighted her sculptural build. Where many of her fellow athletes wore heels of punishing height, she'd chosen platform sandals. (Better for the feet.) She'd opted out of glam services provided by the Women's Tennis Association to do her own makeup a natural dewy glow-and her hair was in windswept waves.

Asked what she thought of Cancún, Gauff said it reminded her of home, Delray Beach in Florida. "I love the beach," she told reporters. "I'm like a mermaid, so to wake up every day and see the beach is a dream." It had been seven weeks since Gauff won her first Grand Slam title at the US Open, and the buzz of victory still surrounded her. Although she was the youngest American to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 1999, it felt like a long time coming.

Gauff's game can get incredibly physical, and in the US Open final, she often looked like a track star running lateral sprints as she chased down Aryna Sabalenka's powerful groundstrokes. When Gauff won, with a backhand passing shot down the line, Arthur Ashe Stadium erupted.

Gauff has a unique ability to draw energy from a crowd, and they from her. This has been true ever since she beat Venus Williams in the first round at Wimbledon in 2019. Gauff was new to the professional tour, ranked 313th, and unknown outside of tennis circles. She was also, at 15, the youngest woman to qualify for Wimbledon in the Open Era. When she won match point, Gauff allowed herself two seconds to absorb the shock before making a line for Williams.

This story is from the April 2024 edition of Vogue US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 2024 edition of Vogue US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM VOGUE USView All
From A to Zac
Vogue US

From A to Zac

Zac Posen's arrival at Gap was a surprise to many, yet the former wunderkind of New York fashion is loving every minute of his new life. Irina Aleksander meets him as he goes big and gets ready to dress America.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Winter 2025
McGIRR'S MCQUEEN
Vogue US

McGIRR'S MCQUEEN

A year ago, Seán McGirr came out of nowhere to lead Alexander McQueen, one of fashion's most storied and emotionally charged houses. Hayley Maitland meets the genial young Irishman writing McQueen's next chapter.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Winter 2025
TESTING GROUND
Vogue US

TESTING GROUND

Sanaz Toossi brings English, her play about the trials of learning a new language, to Broadway.

time-read
2 mins  |
Winter 2025
IN STEP
Vogue US

IN STEP

Margaux Anbouba plays footsie with the final frontier of vintage shopping: shoes.

time-read
5 mins  |
Winter 2025
Through the Looking Glass
Vogue US

Through the Looking Glass

Sam McKinniss's Connecticut home is a magical, maximalist mash-up, tying together riotous color, throwback Americana, and the artist's uncanny visions of popular culture.

time-read
7 mins  |
Winter 2025
MAN ON WIRE
Vogue US

MAN ON WIRE

ADRIEN BRODY IS DRAWN TO HIGH-RISK ROLES AND FILMS THAT PUSH HIM TO EXTREMES. NOTHING HE'S DONE COMPARES TO THE BRUTALIST.

time-read
10 mins  |
Winter 2025
MIRACLE DRIP
Vogue US

MIRACLE DRIP

NAD+ infusions have become increasingly popular, promising to magically turn back the clock. But are they too good to be true? Mattie Kahn investigates.

time-read
5 mins  |
Winter 2025
WHEN SPORTS MET FASHION...
Vogue US

WHEN SPORTS MET FASHION...

Athletes as muses? The stadium as runway? The arena as front row? Fashion and sport needed no introduction, but lately they've become obsessed. Maya Singer reports.

time-read
10+ mins  |
Winter 2025
FINAL CUT
Vogue US

FINAL CUT

\"WE WANT YOU TO GO FOR IT!\" ANNA TOLD ME

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
SCREEN TIME
Vogue US

SCREEN TIME

Three films we can't wait to see.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024