Coco Gauff opened up about her fashion choices and how they influence female athletes. The American has won the Style Influencer of the Year.Gauff ended her 2025 season by competing at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. She reached the third group stage, where she contended against Aryna Sabalenka, who claimed a 7-6(5), 6-2 victory. Following that, the American went on a relaxing vacation with her boyfriend, Jalen Sera, and is enjoying her time away from the court.Amid the ongoing off-season, the 21-year-old received FEMA's Style Influencer of the Year award from Storm Reid. Delivering the winning speech, she revealed her fashion choices and their impact on an athlete."Being a female athlete often means being told to stay in our lane, to focus on the sport and nothing else. But as I've grown in this sport, I realized that while it's my passion, it isn't my entire identity," Coco Gauff said.She added:"Fashion has become a way for me to express who I am beyond the court through what I wear, I get to show a side of myself that shouldn't be defined by a box, a rule or an expectation. I love fashion because it gives you full permission to be creative and unapologetically yourself."Thanking the organization for the honor, Gauff further added:"So thank you to the Footwear News for recognizing me with this honor, and I hope female athletes everywhere continue to embrace their authentic selves, no matter how others try to categorize them. Thank you."Coco Gauff opened up about being far away from her potential Coco Gauff was recently named in the sports list of the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30. While making it to the magazine, she sat for a conversation with them, opening up about her potential on the tennis court. Admitting that she was yet to realize her full potential, she said, as quoted by WTA Tennis:"On court, I feel so far away from my potential. Looking at the tour, I'm seeing girls having their best results at 25, 26, so I feel like in four years I will be where I'd like to be. But obviously that doesn't take away from everything I've done right now. But I'm just eager to improve and get better."Coco Gauff kickstarted her 2025 season by competing at the United Cup, where she trounced Iga Swiatek to lift the tournament's trophy.