“I hope to celebrate people and cultural forces that shape tennis”: Coco Gauff announces first documentary projects
WTAFriday, 26 June 2026 at 02:30
Coco Gauff is expanding her career beyond professional tennis after announcing the first two projects produced through her iROC Media Group, less than a year after launching the company.
The 2025 French Open champion has partnered with Tennis Channel to produce two short documentaries, marking her filmmaking debut while continuing to establish herself as one of the sport's most influential young figures on and off the court.
The projects form part of Tennis Story, Tennis Channel's documentary series, and are expected to premiere later this summer. One documentary explores the evolution of fashion in tennis and the cultural impact of some of the sport's most iconic looks, while the other tells the story of former American star Zina Garrison, a player Gauff has frequently cited as one of her biggest inspirations.
Directed by Vashni Korin and executive produced by Gauff, the documentaries are being developed through a collaboration between iROC Media Group and Religion of Sports, the production company co-founded by Tom Brady. Religion of Sports has previously produced acclaimed sports documentaries including In the Arena: Serena Williams and Simone Biles Rising.
“I've always loved how tennis extends beyond the court”
Gauff said the documentaries reflect her longstanding interest in how tennis influences culture beyond competition, with both projects exploring stories that have shaped the sport in different ways.
“I’ve always loved how tennis extends beyond the court and influences culture, which is what drew me to these two stories. Fashion has been one of the sport’s most powerful forms of self-expression.”
The 21-year-old explained that the films are intended to celebrate not only the athletes themselves but also the broader cultural movements that have helped define tennis across generations.
“I’m excited to explore how iconic players and moments have shaped 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.”
Coco Gauff of United States holds the runner-up trophy at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2026 tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome
Gauff's production company expands alongside Tennis Channel partnership
The two documentaries become the first productions released by iROC Media Group, the company Gauff launched nine months ago. They will join five additional films scheduled for release later this year under Tennis Channel's Tennis Story banner, as well as Tennis Story: The Vault, a curated collection of 20 documentary shorts produced over the past decade featuring figures including Kobe Bryant, Andy Murray, Ben Shelton, Ryan Day, Lerner Tien and Iva Jovic.
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Tennis Channel CEO Jeff Blackburn said Gauff's success on the court naturally positioned her to tell meaningful stories away from competition, praising both her creativity and vision for the new venture.
“Coco Gauff is one of the most gifted athletes of her generation and her legacy on the court speaks for itself. What excites us most is knowing that the same talent and vision that has made her a champion is now being channelled into storytelling. We’re thrilled to be the home of her filmmaking debut.”
Religion of Sports Executive Vice President of Unscripted Victor Buhler echoed that sentiment, saying Gauff's projects highlight the people who have helped move tennis forward through innovation and influence.
“Tennis doesn’t evolve on its own — it takes bold people willing to change the game. Coco is celebrating those trailblazers, and we’re proud to partner with her, iROC, and Tennis Channel to bring their stories to life.”
HealdFocus shifts to Wimbledon after Berlin setbackine
Coco Gauff heads into Wimbledon looking to reset after a brief grass-court build-up that ended with a surprise first-round defeat at the Berlin Ladies Open. The world No. 2 fell to Paula Badosa, who secured her first top-10 win in over a year despite limited competitive action in recent months.
The American returns to SW19 with no ranking points to defend following her early exit in 2025, but also with a record that still leaves key questions unresolved at the tournament. Gauff holds an 11-6 career mark at Wimbledon, highlighted by her breakthrough run to the fourth round in 2019 as a 15-year-old qualifier.
Since that debut, however, she has not progressed beyond the fourth round, making Wimbledon the only Grand Slam where she has yet to reach the quarter-finals and the major where she has recorded the fewest main-draw wins. She arrives this year as the seventh seed in a draw led by Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1) and Elena Rybakina (No. 2).
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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