Beyond her Grand Slam win and captivating presence, the witty 21-year-old Coco Gauff attracts exciting partnerships. In June 2024, she became Naked Smoothies’ “Chief Smoothie Officer.” This fit perfectly with her love for on-court fruit. Remember that iconic moment at the 2023 US Open? The cameras caught Gauff mid-match, not pacing or strategizing but happily digging into a fruit salad during the changeover! Now, her favorite mango, pineapple, and grapes are bottled for easy fuel. But the real kicker is that this sponsorship offers engaging fan content. This time, they playfully targeted the role of ball boys!
On April 9, Naked Smoothies shared another fun advertisement featuring Gauff. Sitting in a director’s chair beside a podium of smoothie bottles, she candidly shared her thoughts on the role: “I was recently named Naked’s Chief Smoothie Officer. But I didn’t know the position came with a…smoothie boy?”
Known for her sweet tooth, Gauff once shared, “I like smoothies that are on the sweeter end, just because I have a sweet tooth. A lot of times when I want to satisfy that sweet tooth without eating actual dessert, I’ll eat fruit.” Her partnership with Naked Juice, a leader in fruit and veggie nutrition for over 30 years, is a natural fit. But what does the role of a smoothie boy bring?
We’re familiar with ball boys, who vigilantly watch the court, ready to toss a ball to players and catch stray ones. Their role requires rigorous physical training due to the long duration of tennis matches, as they keep the game flowing by having a ball ready for opponents. But what about a “smoothie boy”?
In Coco Gauff’s team, he might have a similar role but focused solely on smoothies. How does he feel about this unique position? Cliff Schutt, the “smoothie boy,” expressed his enthusiasm: “To do what I love and do it for Naked Smoothies and Coco Gauff? That’s what I call a win-win-win.”
The reel showcased moments from Coco’s campaign. In one shot, she looked confused as Cliff handed her smoothies every time she reached out. Another creative scene showed him sprinting across the court mid-match to deliver her favorite drink before returning to his spot beside an on-court ball boy.
Eventually, Coco warmed up to the idea, saying, “It took a little while getting used to. But it’s really grown on me.” The ad ended with her confidently reaching out for a smoothie, pleased with its swift delivery.
Could the “smoothie boy” make an appearance on court someday? There’s no telling yet. But this campaign might just be Coco’s best mix of humor and commercials.
Coco on why Naked Smoothies is the perfect fit for her
When Coco Gauff joined forces with the smoothie brand, CEO Glen Walter was elated. He said, “As an athlete, advocate, daughter, sister, friend, and now Chief Smoothie Officer, Coco is a true multi-hyphenate and knows better than anyone that you can be many things at once.” But what pushed the No.4 player to make this move?
Speaking to Entreprenuer following the announcement, GAuff noted that her morning routine varies depending on whether she’s playing a match or not. But one thingis consistent: she’s not a “breakfast person.” Highlighting how a liquid snack helps in this case, she said, “I tend to reach for fruit and smoothies in the morning to fuel me. When I am at a major, my morning routine is dependent on what time of day I am playing but it roughly looks the same.”
Her inspiration for signing with the brand was roughly along the same lines: “For years, my go-to snack, especially during match changeovers, has been a homemade fruit salad, so partnering with Naked — whose smoothies are made with ingredients such as real fruit juice, veggies and vitamins — was the perfect choice for my first beverage partnership.” Plus, it gives us a glimpse of Coco’s playful side!
In February, in an Instagram clip, she brought the laughs again. Captioned “Quick sips, quick win @nakedsmoothie ,” she joked about her new role: “Now, I’m the Chief Smoothie Officer. I get all the Naked Smoothie I want, which is good because before…” The video cut to a hilarious scene where she blended smoothies on court, even offering one to the chair umpire, who firmly replied, “No.” Gauff wrapped up with a cheeky grin: “It’s better now.” Naked Smoothie chimed in with a witty remark: “Who has time for blending these days?”
It’s refreshing to see Gauff acting out playful skits like this, right? But as she heads to Stuttgart for her next tournament, can her smoothie-fueled energy bring her a win? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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