Coco Gauff's boho knotless braids hairstyle turned heads on and off the court, but the story behind the look is resonating with fans for much deeper reasons. The tennis champion's hairstylist, Giszelle Williams, took to social media to reveal that she was the creative force behind Gauff's striking transformation. Alongside behind-the-scenes footage of the appointment, Williams shared an emotional message about the milestone moment in her career.
"I finally get to share who my VIP house call was for 😍😍🤭 @cocogauff THANK YOU for trusting me with your hair & for the opportunity ... yk we locked in now ," Williams wrote at the time. The hairstylist also used the moment to reflect on her entrepreneurial journey.
© Getty Images for Tennis Australi"If you don't know me... HI 🎀 my name is Giszelle Williams and I have been able to scale my braid business to well over 6 figures📈 After graduating from UCF with my bachelors in ACCOUNTING, I found that there was a disconnect between the beauty industry and financial freedom," she continued.
Williams' story quickly struck a chord with followers, who praised both her business success and the opportunity to work with one of tennis' biggest stars. The hairstyle itself became an instant talking point among fans. According to reports, the braided look took roughly eight hours to complete and showcased yet another example of Gauff embracing the versatility of Black hair.
Coco Gauff Continues to Showcase Black Hair
For Gauff, changing hairstyles is about much more than personal style. The 22-year-old has repeatedly spoken about the importance of representation and ensuring young Black girls see themselves reflected in professional tennis, a sport that has historically lacked diversity.
"I've said this before, I pride myself in showcasing different black hair on tour," Gauff said during a press conference as reported by BET. "Just so almost every girl can feel represented. The Williams sisters did that for me, so I try to do that for someone else."
© Getty ImagesGauff has frequently credited tennis legends Serena Williams and Venus Williams for helping her feel represented while growing up. She has often highlighted the importance of seeing Black women proudly wear different hairstyles on some of the sport's biggest stages.
Defending Natural Hair Against Critics
The conversation around Black hair representation became even more prominent earlier this year when Gauff faced criticism after appearing in a campaign for luxury fashion brand Miu Miu.
The photos, which featured Gauff wearing minimal makeup and her natural 4C hair, sparked negative comments online. Rather than staying silent, she addressed the criticism directly. "I did my everyday hair and makeup because that was personally the point," Gauff explained.
© Getty ImagesShe added that she avoids slicked-back styles to minimize damage and emphasized that her natural texture deserved to be celebrated. "My 4C hair is good enough for a high-fashion brand like Miu Miu to promote one of their newest launches. So if my hair is good enough for that, then yours is good enough to do whatever you need it to do."
Her response was widely praised by fans and advocates who viewed her comments as an important statement about beauty standards and self-acceptance.
© Anadolu via Getty ImagesWhether she's wearing protective braids, experimenting with bold colors, or embracing her natural texture, Gauff continues to use her platform to celebrate the diversity of Black hair.
That commitment aligns with the activism she has demonstrated throughout her career. From speaking at a Black Lives Matter rally at just 16 years old to advocating for equality and representation, Gauff has consistently shown that she views her influence as bigger than tennis.
