American tennis star Coco Gauff is the new champion of the iconic Wheaties cereal box, joining a prestigious list of sports champions who have appeared on the “Breakfast of Champions.”
The front of the box features Gauff in the midst of competition, while the back narrates her early tennis journey, including her inspiration from tennis icons Venus and Serena Williams.
At just 20 years old, Gauff has made her mark in tennis history, winning seven singles titles and nine doubles titles, including victories at both the U.S. Open and French Open.
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According to an Essence report, Gauff made history at the 2023 U.S. Open, becoming the youngest American to win the title since Serena Williams in 1999. She achieved the milestone on home soil and is currently ranked No. 2 in women’s singles.
Gauff expressed her excitement about the partnership with Wheaties, acknowledging the brand’s legendary status.
“It means a lot to be on the Wheaties box, especially as legendary as Wheaties,” she told Essence. “Being able to follow Billie Jean King is also a huge honor, so I’m really happy and excited to share it with everybody.”
The announcement comes shortly after tennis legend and activist Billie Jean King was featured on the Wheaties box. Gauff shared the stage with King at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Aug. 20 during the 2024 U.S. Open Fan Week.
“Getting to know Billie on a personal level over the years, she’s just such a go-getter,” Gauff said. “If I had to do a quote to describe her, she’s definitely the ‘why not me’ type of person because she just pushes the boundaries. I know what she did wasn’t easy at all.”
King, who won 39 Grand Slam titles and famously defeated Bobby Riggs in the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes,” is also known for advocating for equal pay in sports.
Like King, Gauff aims to make history, but she is also focused on making an impact beyond the tennis court.
“For me, you’re a person before you’re an athlete,” Gauff said. “I know in the past, people have told athletes to stick to their sport, but at the end of the day, you’re a person. When I walk into the grocery store, they’re going to see me as a Black woman before they see me as a tennis player.”
Gauff’s partnership with Wheaties seems poised for longevity, as she continues to grow in her career and champion change on and off the court.
