Coco Gauff has pushed back against criticism of her natural hair after a Miu Miu fashion shoot drew negative comments online. The world No. 3 used a video message to defend Black hair choices and to remind young Black girls that they should wear their hair however they want.
Gauff said the shoot was filmed in her parents’ backyard with her social media manager and was meant to match Miu Miu’s minimal, everyday look. She added that the style featured her natural 4C hair, which she said she chose both for comfort and for hair health.
What Gauff said about the backlash
The two-time Grand Slam champion addressed the response directly in social media posts. Some commenters had called the look “unkempt” and compared it to “civil-rights-era” hairstyles, comments that Gauff rejected by defending the beauty and versatility of Black hair.
“To all the young Black girls out there who have kinky hair like me, do what you want to do with your hair,” Gauff said. She later added that Black hair texture, including kinky and Afro hair, is beautiful and should not be treated as something to hide or correct.
Gauff also said she does not prefer to slick her hair back tightly because it can damage her hair. The tennis player explained that, as an athlete, she often chooses practical styles such as buns or natural wear because they fit her training and match schedule.
Why hair choices matter for athletes
Gauff’s comments echoed a broader reality for women in sport, where time, physical demands and hair care often intersect. In a previous report by The Athletic, Black British women footballers described how some elaborate styles require long appointments and careful planning that can be difficult to manage around competition.
That context helps explain why Gauff said she often leans toward natural styles or simpler looks. For many athletes, hair is not only a personal expression but also a matter of convenience, maintenance and performance readiness.
Key points from Gauff’s response
- She said the criticism did not change her view of her natural hair.
- She encouraged Black girls to choose any style that feels right for them.
- She said tight, slicked-back styles can be damaging to her hair.
- She framed the Miu Miu shoot as a minimal, everyday concept rather than a polished beauty campaign.
- She said Black hair in all of its forms deserves respect.
Her wider fashion and tennis connection
Miu Miu has co-designed some of Gauff’s tennis kits in recent seasons, which has made the relationship between the brand and the player more visible beyond the court. The latest shoot extended that partnership into fashion imagery that highlighted a more relaxed, natural look.
Gauff’s public response also came as she continues preparing for a key stretch of her season on clay. She reached the final in the Madrid Open, the Italian Open in Rome and the French Open in a strong earlier run, underlining her status as one of the sport’s top contenders.
By speaking openly about her hair, Gauff added her voice to a wider conversation about Black beauty standards, athlete identity and the pressure public figures face in fashion campaigns. The response also kept attention on a message she has made clear throughout her career: natural Black hair is meant to be worn, not criticized.
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