Coco Gauff’s New US Open Necklace Says It All

Not everyone can go by one name, let alone one letter. Coco Gauff can—especially in New York City.

Ahead of her first-round match tonight at the US Open, she made it official with a necklace bearing a single “C.” Unveiled last week as Gauff prepared for the year’s final Grand Slam and balanced a typically packed schedule, the star’s new bling came courtesy of Chase Sapphire Reserve and Jennifer Fisher. “I wore Jennifer Fisher during one of my first major editorial shoots when I was 15, so to now be working with her and Chase Sapphire Reserve on something that I helped create feels really special,” Gauff, who co-designed the piece with Fisher, tells ELLE.

Gauff and Fisher—whose letter charms are a favorite of the fashion set—began designing the necklace in London earlier this summer, not far from where Gauff made the deepest Wimbledon run of her career, reaching the semifinals. “I’ve worked with many celebrities in the past, but never a female athlete,” Fisher says of Gauff. “I have so much respect for her, in the prime of her career.”

The one-of-a-kind piece features a sapphire-blue “C” pendant on a chain comfortable enough for everyday and on-court wear. (The star has been sporting it nonstop throughout her practices at the tournament thus far, in addition to her colorful New Balance kit.) “I’ve become much more interested in fashion over the years, so it’s been really fun to see that evolution and have the opportunity to collaborate with someone whose work I’ve admired for a long time,” Gauff added.

Here, Gauff talks fashion, her new talisman, and the mindset she’s bringing into the 2026 US Open.

How involved were you in the design?

I took Jennifer’s lead, but I wanted the necklace to feel personal and wearable, so we talked a lot about the details and how it would actually feel to wear every day. The shade of blue was especially important to me. I love that we landed on this beautiful sapphire blue that connects it back to Chase while still feeling like something I would naturally wear.

What factors did you take into consideration regarding performance?

For me, it was important that the necklace felt light but still looked stylish. I’m constantly moving between tennis, travel, events, and everyday life, so I wanted something that could move with me and didn’t feel too precious or restrictive. We really thought about how it would sit and feel when I was wearing it, while still making a statement.

How would you describe your on-court style versus your everyday look?

On court, I think about performance first, but I still want my outfits to feel like me. There’s definitely more intention around the details because you’re wearing the same look for hours and moving constantly. Off court, I have more freedom to experiment.

Are your approaches to fashion and jewelry different?

I think both are about expressing yourself, but jewelry can feel a little more personal because it’s often something you choose for yourself rather than just for an outfit. With both, I want things to feel authentic and comfortable. I’m always thinking about whether I can actually see myself wearing something in my real life.

What goes through your mind when you walk back onto the US Open courts?

There’s definitely a lot of emotion. The US Open is such a special tournament for me, and New York has been the backdrop for some really big moments in my career. When I walk onto those courts, I try to stay present and remember why I love competing there in the first place. There’s obviously pressure, but there’s also a lot of excitement and gratitude.

Do you approach your on-court looks differently for New York?

I think New York naturally brings out a little more personality. It’s such a fashion-forward city, and the US Open has always had this connection to fashion and culture, so it’s fun to be part of that. But at the end of the day, I still want my look to feel like me and, most importantly, make me feel confident when I step on court.