Coco Gauff surprises once again, and not just on the court: less than a year after founding iROC Media Group, the young American, who won the Roland Garros title in 2025, has just announced her first two documentary projects as a producer – and she promises to revolutionize the way tennis is portrayed beyond the four lines. In partnership with Tennis Channel, Gauff makes her directorial debut in documentaries while reinforcing her status as one of the most influential figures of the new generation, both in sports and beyond.
The two films, which are part of the documentary series Tennis Story – produced by Tennis Channel – are set to be released this summer. One of the documentaries explores the evolution of fashion in tennis and the cultural impact of some of the sport’s most iconic looks, while the second traces the journey of Zina Garrison, a former American star often cited by Gauff as one of her greatest inspirations. The direction is in the hands of Vashni Korin, with Gauff serving as executive producer, in a collaboration between iROC Media Group and Religion of Sports, a production company founded by Tom Brady, already known for landmark works such as “In the Arena: Serena Williams” and “Simone Biles Rising.”
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This step off the courts is seen as more than just a one-time adventure: Gauff emphasizes her ambition to explore the cultural and human side of tennis. “I have always loved how tennis goes beyond the court and influences culture; that’s what drew me to these two stories. Fashion has been one of the most powerful forms of self-expression in sports,” said Coco Gauff during the announcement. The 21-year-old athlete explains that the films aim to honor not only the protagonists of the sport but also the cultural movements that have helped shape tennis over the generations: “I am excited to explore how iconic players and moments have changed the way we see tennis and ourselves. Through these films, I hope to celebrate the people and cultural forces that have helped define tennis and continue to shape its future.”
The expansion of iROC Media Group, launched by Gauff just nine months ago, gains new momentum with these two initial projects, which join five other films planned for this year under the Tennis Story initiative. The Tennis Story: The Vault collection, featuring 20 short documentaries produced over the past decade, will include legendary figures such as Kobe Bryant, Andy Murray, Ben Shelton, and Ryan Day, among others.
Jeff Blackburn, CEO of Tennis Channel, highlighted the multifaceted talent of the American and the impact of her transition to production: “Coco Gauff is one of the most talented athletes of her generation, and her legacy on the court speaks for itself. What excites us even more is knowing that the same talent and vision that made her a champion are now being channeled into storytelling. We are proud to welcome her debut in the world of cinema.” Victor Buhler, Executive Vice President of Unscripted at Religion of Sports, also emphasized the importance of these new voices: “Tennis does not evolve on its own – it needs bold people willing to change the game. Coco is celebrating those pioneers, and we are proud to collaborate with her, iROC, and Tennis Channel to bring these stories to life.”
While off the court Gauff is reinforcing her influence, on the field she arrives at Wimbledon with points to prove after a grass preparation marked by an unexpected first-round exit at the Berlin Ladies Open against Paula Badosa. Although she arrives at SW19 with no points to defend, following an early exit in 2025, the American continues to face questions about her performance at the most famous grass tournament. With a record of 11 wins and six losses at Wimbledon, Gauff’s best result remains the round of 16 reached in 2019, when she surprised the world at just 15 years old. Since then, she has not advanced past the fourth round, with Wimbledon being the only Grand Slam where she has never reached the quarter-finals and where she has the fewest wins in the main draw. This year, she enters as the seventh seed, in a list led by Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.
The release of these documentaries could mark the beginning of a new era for Coco Gauff, who combines on-court talent with a determined vision to transform tennis into a cultural phenomenon. With new projects on the horizon, the young American star is preparing to leave an indelible mark both on the courts and on the big screen, while the world waits to see if she can finally break through the fourth round at Wimbledon and solidify her status as one of the great figures in global tennis, both on and off the courts.
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