Tennis starlet Coco Gauff makes surprise appearance at Oscars 2025 ahead of competing at Indian Wells

Coco Gauff swapped the court for the red carpet Sunday night when she stunned at the 2025 Academy Awards. 

The 20-year-old tennis sensation surprised fans when she stepped out on the red carpet in Hollywood for her first appearance at the Oscars before a mad dash to Palm Springs for the BNP Paribas Open. 

The 2023 US Open champion cut an elegant figure in a V-neck yellow gown adorned with jewels as she posed on the carpet outside Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. 

She wore her hair in braids in a messy bun, accessorizing the chic look with diamond drop earrings. 

Gauff was joined by her mother Candi, who wore a one-shouldered shimmery metallic floor-length dress. 

Despite soaking in her first ever Oscars, Gauff revealed that she would be making a swift exit from the ceremony. 

She told Entertainment Tonight that she would be heading straight to Indian Wells, which is located around 140 miles from Hollywood Boulevard, ahead of next week’s upcoming tournament. 

‘First time here,’ she said during the red carpet interview. ‘Usually tennis takes up the schedule but I can make an exception for this.’ 

The World No. 3, who has previously appeared on the cover of Vogue, has made no secret of her love of fashion. 

However, she admitted that walking the red carpet was more nerve-wracking than taking on her competitors on some of tennis’s biggest stages. 

I practice every day and [walking the carpet] I do once every blue moon. But everyone was so supportive, so that was nice. 

It was definitely overwhelming, something I’m not used to but it was super cool to just be here and experience it and step out of the sporting world. But I have my sneakers on for tomorrow. 

Gauff will head to palm springs after the awards ceremony where she’ll compete in the BNP Paribas Open in the hope of a better result this year after she lost in the semifinals last year