Coco Gauff gets exclusive Spider-Man gift as Marvel takes over the US Open

Thursday, 03 September 2026 at 02:30

Coco Gauff has already become one of the biggest stars of the US Open, but this year she received a very different kind of player gift in New York: a Spider-Man comic. The American, who has spoken openly about her love for comics, was among those lucky enough to get her hands on the highly sought-after collaboration between the US Open and Marvel.

The unlikely partnership has turned a simple promotional giveaway into one of the biggest talking points away from the courts. For the third consecutive year, Marvel and the USTA have joined forces to produce a special US Open comic, bringing one of the publisher’s most recognizable superheroes into the world of tennis.

This year, Spider-Man takes center stage, following previous editions featuring the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. The choice makes particular sense given Spider-Man’s connection to New York, with Peter Parker’s latest adventure taking place across the city while he tries to make it to the US Open to meet Mary Jane.

The comic was produced in a limited run of more than 40,000 copies and distributed free of charge during four days of Fan Week. The first 1,000 visitors each day could also receive a special collectible edition featuring one of five covers representing Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.

Spider-Man becomes the US Open’s unlikely star

The popularity of the comic quickly became apparent at Flushing Meadows. Long lines formed around the distribution area, with the queue reportedly stretching roughly 500 meters as fans tried to secure a copy before they disappeared.

The demand was so high that obtaining one became a challenge even for those covering the tournament. Copies were difficult to find once the giveaway began, while the collectible editions quickly developed a secondary market, with some appearing for between $50 and $100.

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Gauff, meanwhile, had a considerably easier route to her copies. The tournament organizers sent her all five collectible editions, allowing the American to enjoy the collaboration without having to join the enormous queue.

And her reaction showed just how much the gift meant to her. “Oh my God, are these the flying ones? Are these the flying leather ones?”

After opening the package, Gauff immediately connected the character to one of her favorite childhood memories, recalling a Spider-Man onesie she wore at her parents’ house. “I’m so excited. I, like, love him. This is me in a Spider-Man onesie. This is my bed at my parents’ house. So I really wanted this.”

She even admitted that one of the photos she found was embarrassing because it dated back several years. “This is an embarrassing one. This is from, like, three years ago. He’s probably like, ‘This weirdo,’ but yeah.”

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Why Marvel and the US Open teamed up

The collaboration is part of a broader strategy from Marvel to take its characters beyond traditional comic-book stores and reach new audiences through major events.

Arno “Kikoo” Tomasini, editor-in-chief of Comicsblog.fr and co-creator and host of the First Print podcast, explained to L'Equipe that these partnerships can give publishers significant visibility while introducing comics to people who might not normally encounter them.

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"There is an opportunity to attract a new readership, although these comics are usually anecdotal compared to the rest of the publishing output, even though 40,000 copies is still a considerable print run," he said. "Collaborations have already been established with food brands and even deodorants. But publishers are primarily looking for attractive events to boost their image.

For the US Open, however, the partnership fits naturally with the tournament’s identity as New York’s Grand Slam. And with Spider-Man at the center of this year’s edition, the collaboration has produced something that fans clearly wanted: a collectible combining one of tennis’ biggest events with one of New York’s most iconic superheroes.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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