Coco Gauff Is Committed to "Showcasing Black Hairstyles" on the Court

Coco Gauff wears many hats — tennis champion, daughter, and beauty enthusiast, for starters. Now, the athlete is adding to her growing portfolio as she announces Carol's Daughter as her official hair sponsor. In a world where women's sports are more popular than ever, it's refreshing to see athletes like Gauff getting the sponsorships they deserve.

"I was using Carol's Daughter's products for years before this opportunity came to me," Gauff tells PS. "As I've matured, I've started learning to embrace my hair more, and working with this brand felt like perfect alignment. It was founded by a Black woman with an emphasis on family, and given how close I am to mine, this partnership just felt authentic to me."

Like many Black women, hair plays a big role in Gauff's life — especially when she's on the court. "When I play, I like to wear protective hairstyles because I need low-manipulation looks," she says. "When I was young, I committed myself to showcasing Black hairstyles when I play, and that's something that I take pride in. Whether it's box braids, twists, or my natural hair, it's a form of self-expression that I'm really proud of, especially because you still don't see it very often in our sport."

It's important for Gauff to keep her natural hair healthy when she plays, so she has a go-to product to get her though long tournaments. "My favorite product for my protective styles, especially if they're goddess braids, is the Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner ($12, originally $14)," she says. "I'm on the go all the time, so I just apply some onto my hair, rake it through, and then I'm off to compete."