Coco Gauff's Must Haves: From a Fruit Smoothie to a Squishmallow
:upscale()/2024/06/24/804/n/49352476/0e5a66726679b88ca6e8d4.86471525_.jpg)
It's hard to believe Coco Gauff just headed to her very first Olympics — and as one of Team USA's flag bearers alongside LeBron James. After pulling out of the Tokyo Games in 2021 because of a positive COVID-19 test, the 20-year-old tennis pro — now ranked the No. 2 player in the world — is ready to compete on behalf of Team USA in Paris next month. "Competing at the Olympics is something I have always wanted to do," she tells PS. "It means a lot to me to be able to represent my country at the Olympics and in one of my favorite cities."
While training for the Olympics is no easy feat, Gauff has her routine down. That includes a plastic container of cut fruit, which fans noticed by her side as she took home her first-ever major singles title at the US Open in September 2023. She's been munching on homemade fruit salad both on and off the court since she was young. "I love fruit and fruit juices. They've always been a part of my routine," Gauff says. "My mom sent me to practice or tournaments with a container of cut-up fruit like mangoes, pineapple, and grapes — and she still does to this day."
Gauff's since added Naked's fruit smoothies to her regimen to "complement" her fruit salads, noting they're "an easy on-the-go option on and off the court." She recently partnered with Naked and became the brand's first chief smoothie officer — a CSO, if you will — to collaborate on smoothies and help shape the future of the company. "While I can't share too much at this time, I can't wait to put my mark on the brand and future product development," she shares.
Ahead, the athlete tells PS about her current must-have products, including a low-sugar juice, a soothing face cleanser, a cozy Squishmallow, and more, before the Paris Olympics.
:upscale()/2024/06/20/877/n/49352476/055c7d6dd390fee2_Screenshot_2024-06-20_at_4.01.44_PM.png)
Coco Gauff's Morning-Routine Must Have
"I've never really been a big breakfast person, especially before practice or a match, so I tend to reach for fruit and smoothies in the morning, which is why I love Naked smoothies," Gauff says. Her current go-to is Naked Juice's Low Sugar Berrylicious Smoothie ($3), which comes with juices from white grapes, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, and oranges and offers nine grams of fiber. "It's so good — and also my favorite color, purple!" Visit nakedjuice.com for more information on purchase options.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/06/25/811/n/44344577/935992ac667b0c75c3f1d4.62830123_055c7d6dd390.webp)
:upscale()/2024/06/20/877/n/49352476/9591b28ee7354e1a_51210UDLbYL._SL1500_.jpg)
Coco Gauff's Affordable Must Have
It's no secret Gauff is a beauty enthusiast. In addition to showcasing Black hairstyles like box braids and twists as well as her natural hair on the court, she's a fan of press-on nails for a quick manicure. "I love having my nails done, but sometimes I don't have time to go and get them done at a salon, so Mari by Marsai Press-on Nails ($22) are perfect," she says. "I can keep them in my bag and put them on while I am on the road."
Actor Marsai Martin is the brains behind the nail brand, which offers press-on nails featuring both on-trend designs and single-color options.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/06/20/877/n/49352476/9591b28ee7354e1a_51210UDLbYL._SL1500_.jpg)
:upscale()/2024/06/20/877/n/49352476/2f99864517dedc2c_61d7SqbK2UL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Coco Gauff's Investment Must Have
"I always have a pair of headphones with me," Gauff says, and her favorites are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones ($429). At over $400, they're quite pricey, but they offer noise cancellation, comfort, and a sleek aesthetic. "I love listening to music and blocking out noise, so having a good pair of headphones is essential for me, especially with all the traveling I do," the tennis pro adds.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/06/20/877/n/49352476/2f99864517dedc2c_61d7SqbK2UL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
:upscale()/2024/06/20/877/n/49352476/6ba30fef88b89948_615_wno8TaL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Coco Gauff's Travel Must Have
Gauff's busy tennis schedule means she's constantly on the road or in flight, so it only makes sense to bring a comforting pal along for the journey. "I love a good Squishmallow for a flight, but also to make a hotel bed feel more like home," she says. They're super-soft plush toys with a marshmallow-like texture, and the Maui the Pineapple Squishmallow ($25) is especially adorable.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/06/20/877/n/49352476/6ba30fef88b89948_615_wno8TaL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
:upscale()/2024/06/20/877/n/49352476/3351410ecb2f970b_Screenshot_2024-06-20_at_4.01.56_PM.png)
Coco Gauff's Sleep Must Have
Before going to bed at night, Gauff makes skin care a priority. "I like to unwind from a long day by doing my full skin-care routine, so having a good cleanser is super important, especially given the amount of training I do," she says. "I was gifted The Ordinary's Squalane Cleanser ($21), so that is what I have been using lately." This gentle, moisturizing face cleanser is formulated with squalane, which is great for soothing and regenerating skin.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/06/20/877/n/49352476/3351410ecb2f970b_Screenshot_2024-06-20_at_4.01.56_PM.png)
:upscale()/2024/06/20/917/n/49352476/f024468fac0765fb_Commerce_Mini_Bio_Slides.png)
Yerin Kim is the features editor at PS, where she helps shape the vision for special features and packages across the network. A graduate of Syracuse University's Newhouse School, she has over five years of experience in the pop culture and women's lifestyle spaces. She's passionate about spreading cultural sensitivity through the lenses of lifestyle, entertainment, and style.