Coco Gauff has added an unexpected appearance to her résumé, starring in rapper Gunna's new music video for his single "Pop It". The American tennis star features in the opening scenes, facing the Atlanta rapper across a tennis net before one of her serves kicks off the song's beat.
Released on Friday, October 9, the video sees Gauff showcase her tennis skills before the action moves into a series of luxury settings. Directed by Spike Jordan, the production marks Gunna's first solo release of 2026 and the lead single from his upcoming album, Splurge.
The cameo offers a lighter moment for Gauff after a difficult week in China. The world No. 4 lost to Elise Mertens in the fourth round of the China Open before withdrawing from the Wuhan Open, where she was due to defend her title, citing fatigue after a demanding stretch of the season.
The 22-year-old had also been subjected to racist abuse online following a controversial point in her match against Chinese teenager Sun Xinran in Beijing. The incident overshadowed her victory and was followed by a disappointing defeat to Mertens, leaving Gauff to take a break before returning to competition.
Gauff appears in Gunna's latest music video
Gauff is featured from the start of "Pop It", with the opening tennis sequence showing Gunna asking her to serve another ball. The American responds with a powerful shot that transitions into the track, bringing her sporting background directly into the video's concept.
The release is part of a new chapter for Gunna, whose single is the first on his own imprint, SB THE LABEL, in partnership with Atlantic Music Group. The video also features appearances from the label's new signees Casper Bluff, Nechie and Dracc.
For Gauff, the appearance comes while she takes time away from the tour after withdrawing from Wuhan. She will still have two major commitments remaining in 2026, beginning with the WTA Finals, where she is expected to compete against the leading players in women's tennis.
WTA Finals and Billie Jean King Cup await
The WTA Finals are scheduled for November 8–15 in Indian Wells, giving Gauff the chance to finish her season against the other top qualifiers. She will join Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Linda Noskova, and Jessica Pegula among the season's top eight players. The final two spots would currently go to Muchova and Svitolina—though Kostyuk and Swiatek are keeping their qualification hopes alive.
The tournament will be followed by the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs, where she is set to represent the United States against Hungary in Delray Beach, Florida, on November 21-22.
Read also
The tie will be particularly important for the American team after missing out on the 2026 Finals. The United States lost its qualifying tie against Belgium in April, with Gauff absent from the squad. A victory over Hungary would return the team to the qualifying stage for the 2027 competition.
Gauff has not played in the Billie Jean King Cup since 2023, although the United States has several options to build a competitive roster around her. Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Iva Jovic, Taylor Townsend and McCartney Kessler have all featured in recent team selections, giving captain Lindsay Davenport a deep pool of talent to draw from.
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.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- great articlestennisseserver07-10-2026
- Medvedev was leading Djokovic 7-5, 3-5 when an attempted return..' NO you ignorants, Djokovic was leading .weiss05-10-2026
- No more bullshit "Wildcards" to these two. Qualify like everyone else -- there will be cameras there, too. Time to scream... WTF ????!!!!
mandoist29-09-2026 - Let's not BS the general public -- Sabalenka started showing cracks in her game last season. Her losses and near-losses started at about the same time she began being distracted by Fame (constant Selfies, making TV commercials, magazine shoots, endless Social Media nonsense, etc., etc.) One would think even Saba could recognize the parallels with others who failed before her -- Raducanu, Giorgi, Bouchard to name a few.mandoist25-09-2026
- Gross!! Hey Raducanu, Giorgi, and Bouchard -- reserve a seat at your Social Media Selfie table for Saba + Naomi. They're heading in your direction soon enough.mandoist24-09-2026
- And then these same players will complain about how lengthy their season’s were and need more time-off. I’m all for more tennis but the amount of tennis we get now is actually kind of crazy! We all need a break, especially the players.DaveyWavey23-09-2026
- You should do a comparison article for "different kinds of justice" the courts decide for tennis players. I can think of at least three players who received very small bans of a few months, however Tara Moore has been fighting for her literal survival the past few years. It seems odd considering she is not a "name" player, unlike the other cases.DaveyWavey22-09-2026
- PRIZE MONEY & POINTS Winner - $185,500 Finalist - $114,500 Semi-Finalist - $66,003 Quarter-Finalist - $35,000 Round of 16 - $18,045 Round of 32 - $13,005 Winner - 500 Finalist - 325 Semi-Finalist - 195 Quarter-Finalist - 108 Round of 16 - 60 Round of 32 - 1DaveyWavey20-09-2026
- Pegula withdrew from this Singapore event
tennishappens19-09-2026 - Serena Williams chose her tournaments. It's not such a bad idea.MuswellHillbilly17-09-2026
Loading