She’s paying homage to her hometown!
Coco Gauff is a trailblazer on and off the court. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the tennis phenom recently celebrated her 21st birthday on March 13th, commemorating the meaningful milestone with a signature New Balance shoe release, the “Coco Delray.” More than just a stylish and functional addition to her collection, this shoe represents the foundation that shaped her into the Grand Slam champion she is today. At the heart of this campaign is one of the most influential figures in her life—her grandmother, civil rights activist Yvonne Lee Odom, Revolt reports.
The launch of the Coco Delray is more than a footwear release; it’s a love letter to Delray Beach, Florida, the community that nurtured Gauff’s dream. Through a powerful promotional video narrated by her grandmother, viewers are taken back to the Pompey Park public courts, where Gauff first picked up a racquet and found the support that propelled her to the top. The video campaign, developed in collaboration with creative powerhouse Joe Freshgoods, captures Gauff’s story visually and emotionally—a young girl with big dreams, a family that uplifted her, and a city that stood behind her every step of the way.
Evan Zeder, New Balance’s head of tennis sports marketing, emphasized the brand’s shared mission with Gauff and the importance of making tennis a more inclusive sport.
“It means a lot to Coco that anyone who wants to play tennis should be able to pick up a racquet and play,” said Zeder via statement.
Gauff echoed this sentiment, explaining, “I’m incredibly proud to launch the new Coco Delray because it’s more than just a tennis shoe. It represents an opportunity to broaden access to those interested in playing the game and will have a positive cultural impact for generations to come.”
Unlike her previous high-performance models with New Balance, the Coco Delray was designed with accessibility in mind. Priced at $110, it’s more affordable than many performance tennis shoes on the market, opening doors for more aspiring players to experience the game in footwear built for both style and function. Launching the Coco Delray on her birthday made this release even more personal for Gauff. It’s a full-circle moment and an opportunity to reflect on her journey and those whose shoulders she stands on.
“Delray Beach helped spark my tennis journey, so it’s special to me to tell the story of this community that influenced exactly why I love this sport,” said Gauff.
The Coco Delray is available globally through New Balance and select retailers, with additional colorways set to be released throughout the year. The sneaker features a FuelCell foam midsole for responsiveness, a stabilizing nylon plate, and a hexagonal tread for multi-surface traction, and is built to perform on and off the court.
With this launch, Coco Gauff continues to use her platform for impact—celebrating family, community, and the power of representation in sports. As she steps into this new chapter of her career and adulthood, the Coco Delray serves as a reminder of where it all began and the future she’s helping to shape.
Happy 21st birthday, Coco! The best is yet to come.
Cover photo: Coco Gauff Celebrates 21st Birthday With New Balance Sneaker Release Honoring Her Grandmother & Florida Roots/Coco Gauff In Her New Balance Coco CG2, 2024/Photo credit: New Balance