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American sports and apparel brand New Balance, in collaboration with Coco Gauff, launched the latest signature shoe, the CG2, ahead of the US Open. Gauff shared that its design was inspired by her father's love for basketball and New York City.
Gauff has been partnered with New Balance since 2018 when she was just 14. In 2022, the World No. 3 signed a long-term deal with the brand and launched her first signature shoe, the CG1.
One notable similarity between the CG1 and the CG2 is their mid-top design, which Gauff favors for its support and stability. The 20-year-old said in a recent interview with Forbes:
"I loved the mid-top design of the CG1 not just for the aesthetic, but also for how much support and stability it gives me on the court. There was no question we would keep the same mid-top for the CG2,” Gauff said.
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The mid-top silhouette of the CG2 also incorporates a basketball-inspired design element. Gauff explained that her father, Corey, played basketball in college, and she drew inspiration from his sneakers.
“My dad played basketball in college, and I’ve always taken inspiration from basketball sneakers,” she said.
The latest design is also inspired by New York City, with the oxidized blue color of the shoe representing the Statue of Liberty. Gauff further expressed that New York holds special meaning for her, especially after her first Major win, and she wanted the CG2 colorway to reflect the city's energy.
“New York has always been special to me, but even more now after winning my first major there. The New Balance team always lets me be creative when it comes to design, and I really wanted this first CG2 colorway to capture New York’s incredible energy,” she added.
Gauff and New Balance previously launched the CG1 'Grey' edition for her 2024 French Open campaign.
Coco Gauff shifts her focus to 2024 US Open after a subpar North American hardcourt swing
The lead-up to the New York Major has not been ideal for Coco Gauff. The American started the North American swing at the Canadian Open, receiving a bye in the first round. She then defeated Wang Yafan 6-4, 6-4 in the second round but faced a third-round exit, losing to Diana Shnaider 4-6, 1-6.
Gauff later entered the Cincinnati Open as the defending champion where she again received a first-round bye as the second seed. However, she faced an early second-round exit, losing to Yulia Putintseva 4-6, 6-2, 4-6.
Consequently, the 20-year-old dropped to World No. 3 in the WTA rankings, with Aryna Sabalenka taking over the No. 2 spot.
Despite a challenging campaign in Toronto and Cincinnati, where she won only one match, Gauff will now shift her focus to the US Open, where she will compete as the defending champion. The New York Major starts on Monday, August 26.
