Maria Sharapova Praises Coco Gauff’s ‘The Gentlewoman’ Cover

When the newest issue of The Gentlewoman hit Instagram, all eyes were on the striking portrait of a young American tennis player looking straight into the lens. That player was none other than Coco Gauff, fresh from a deep run at the 2026 US Open. The magazine’s caption highlighted her as “the future of tennis,” a sentiment that quickly caught the attention of a former great.

Gauff’s journey in New York had been a roller‑coaster. She powered past Zeynep Sonmez, Paula Badosa, Cristina Bucsa, Iva Jovic and Mirra Andreeva, then survived a gritty quarter‑final before finally meeting Elena Rybakina in the semi‑finals. Rybakina’s 3‑6, 6‑4, 6‑4 victory ended Gauff’s campaign, but the 19‑year‑old left the court with her head held high.

In the days that followed, Gauff opened up to Reuters, saying she felt “in control” for most of the match but slipped into a few old habits during the quarter‑final. She added that a single day’s work helped her shake those habits off. “I’m younger than the other semifinalists,” she noted, “so I’m excited to see how much better I can get by the time I’m 24 or 25.” Her confidence was palpable, and she hinted that the next couple of years could bring even more breakthroughs.

Enter Maria Sharapova. The two‑time Grand Slam champion reposted the cover on her Instagram story, writing, “A forever favourite magazine and fantastic cover.” The short, sincere note quickly amassed likes and comments, showing how Gauff’s poise on and off the court resonates even with the sport’s legends.

With a Wimbledon semi‑final under her belt, a Cincinnati title already secured, and now a glossy magazine feature, Gauff’s star is undeniably on the rise. If the admiration from Sharapova is any indication, the tennis world can expect many more headline moments from the young American.