Being within the C-suite is a high-pressure job with lengthy hours, tasks to the board, and intense scrutiny. However what’s it prefer to be a prime government while you’re off the clock?
Fortune’s collection, The Good Life, reveals how up-and-coming leaders spend their money and time exterior of labor.
At this time we meet the two-time Grand Slam tennis champion, Coco Gauff.
Whether or not you’ve watched her not too long ago shred the courts within the U.S. Open, otherwise you’ve been following her string of profession achievements for years, Gauff is without doubt one of the greatest names in tennis. The world tuned into her expertise when she was solely 15 years previous—one 12 months into her skilled profession—as Gauff made historical past because the youngest to qualify for Wimbledon’s important draw.
Now on the age of 21, the skilled athlete hasn’t stop breaking data and taking names. In 2023, she turned the youngest American to win the U.S. Open singles title since Serena Williams in 1999; she’d go on to assert the 2025 French Open singles title, her second Grand Slam singles victory. Gauff has additionally been topped the world primary rating in doubles, and world quantity two rating in singles, in response to the Ladies’s Tennis Affiliation. To not point out the consideration of being the U.S. flag bearer for the Paris 2024 Olympics—making Gauff the youngest American flag bearer in U.S. Olympic historical past.
However past the court docket, the Florida native has expanded her empire into enterprise. The Gen Z tennis star and entrepreneur has her personal firm, Coco Gauff Enterprise, to handle her enterprise partnerships.
This April, Gauff introduced her enterprise on Instagram, saying how it might mirror “[her] ardour for making an impression—not simply in tennis however in enterprise, philanthropy and past.” The enterprise is powered by WME, a expertise illustration entity that controls IMG and represents sports activities icons like Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek, and Gauff’s childhood function mannequin Serena Williams. A few of her important model sponsors embody New Steadiness, Rolex, and sports activities tools enterprise Head.
I’ve truly by no means been on an actual vacation since I used to be most likely 16…My dream vacation can be someplace tropical, simply sitting round doing nothing however consuming piña coladas and doing water sports activities.
Simply in time for the U.S. Open this 12 months, Gauff additionally launched her personal signature protein smoothie with $3.3 billion Bare Juices, Coco’s Protein Pineapple Orange smoothie, impressed by her fruit salad that went viral on the competitors two years in the past.
To wind down from her electrical tennis profession and enterprise forays, Gauff journals and treats herself with $3,000 procuring sprees. The multimillionaire additionally likes to stability luxurious with the straightforward pleasures; she will be able to’t dwell with out her $2 month-to-month subscription to Trivia Crack and loves to buy on second-hand garments web site Depop. Gauff hasn’t taken an actual trip since she was 16—however desires of sipping piña coladas and enjoying water sports activities.
This interview has been condensed for readability.
The funds
Fortune: What’s been one of the best funding you’ve ever purchased?
My home was most likely one of the best funding as a result of I really feel like that’s one thing that may solely admire in worth and it’s in my hometown. I can see myself residing there for the remainder of my life—however who is aware of. If I don’t find yourself there perpetually, I can go it right down to my future children, my brothers, or somebody in my household.
What are your residing preparations like: Swanky residence within the metropolis or suburban sprawling?
After I’m not touring for tournaments, I’m again residence in Delray Seashore, Florida. It’s the place I grew up, and I’ve at all times cherished the laid-back vibe—sunshine, palm bushes, and area to only breathe. My home is near my household, which implies the whole lot to me. I don’t have a standard workplace until you rely the tennis court docket, however being residence provides me time to recharge, keep grounded, and meet up with family and friends.
How do you commute to work?
After I’m residence, I normally observe on the court docket at my dad and mom home which isn’t too distant, so after I get up I normally seize my package and a Bare smoothie and drive to their home, take heed to music within the automotive, and eat one thing small there earlier than I get going.
Do you put money into shares?
Within the investing world, I’m nonetheless very new. I actually simply go off the advice of my dad. He has a monetary advisor he talks to, after which he’ll ask for my enter, however I’m very a lot within the studying part. If it’s one thing I completely don’t imagine in—like a particular firm—then I’m like, “Yeah… no thanks.” However more often than not, I belief him. He had a number of expertise at his job when he was working and realized rather a lot in regards to the market, so I belief his opinion.
What private finance recommendation would you give your 20-year-old self?
Nicely, 20 was solely a 12 months in the past for me, so I’m nonetheless figuring it out! But when I needed to give myself recommendation, I’d say don’t be afraid to ask questions and ensure you’re intentional about collaborating with individuals and types that really align with who you might be—it makes the whole lot really feel extra significant, genuine and far more enjoyable.
I’ve truly by no means been on an actual vacation since I used to be most likely 16…My dream vacation can be someplace tropical, simply sitting round doing nothing however consuming piña coladas and doing water sports activities.
The requirements
What’s the one subscription you possibly can’t dwell with out?
I might say Netflix, however I truly don’t pay for my Netflix subscription—I nonetheless use my dad and mom’ account. One which I do pay for is a recreation known as Trivia Crack. I can’t stand when there are adverts popping up whereas I’m making an attempt to play, so it most likely prices me like $2 a month which doesn’t fairly set me again.
The place’s your go-to wristwatch from?
It’s a Rolex—the Oyster Perpetual. I’ve had it since I used to be 15 years previous, and I adore it. It’s my on a regular basis watch. It has some put on and tear, however I like to consider it as being cherished.
What about consuming on the go?
I don’t actually ever eat out for lunch. After I do, I simply Uber Eats and order lunch. I observe at my dad and mom’ home as a result of that’s the place the court docket is, and my dad and mom will usually prepare dinner lunch. I don’t actually eat a lot throughout observe until it’s a Bare smoothie, fruit, or a protein bar. I normally attempt to get a number of protein—I like my lunches to be protein, starch, and greens. Usually, it’s hen, rice, and greens; hen, pasta, and greens; or fish, potatoes, and greens. It’s at all times some variation of that.
How usually in per week do you dine out versus prepare dinner at residence?
After I’m residence, I order supply for lunch. For dinner, both my grandparents—who dwell quarter-hour away—are cooking, or my dad and mom are. When no one’s cooking, I’ll strive a TikTok recipe and prepare dinner for myself. I’m not a prepare dinner—my dad and grandparents are professional cooks—however I’m studying as I’m going.
The place do you store on your work wardrobe?
My work wardrobe consists of principally solely tennis garments—so New Steadiness. My favourite manufacturers proper now are positively New Steadiness, MiuMiu, and actually, Depop. It’s not a model, nevertheless it’s an app the place individuals can resell issues, sort of like a web based thrift retailer. You will discover some actually distinctive items on there.
What can be a typical work outfit for you?
Is dependent upon the day! If I’m training or enjoying, I like my New Steadiness gear—it’s snug, performance-driven, and actually aligns with the essence of my road type. For conferences or once I’m filming model content material like with Bare, I like to combine sporty and stylish like New Steadiness sneakers paired with cargo pants or one thing elevated, like a Miu Miu blazer or cropped jacket. I like mixing sporty vibes with high-fashion touches that showcase my character, whether or not it’s daring colours or enjoyable equipment.
The treats
Are you the proud proprietor of any futuristic devices?
I personal the Meta glasses, and I used to be capable of strive them earlier than they had been ever out as a result of I did a model shoot for Ray-Ban and so they gave me some glasses. I don’t use them that a lot as a result of I don’t content-create usually, however once I do, it’s actually cool to get that perspective. I can even play music in them, which is the explanation I appreciated them probably the most.
I additionally personal an Oculus—the digital actuality headset. I don’t use it rather a lot as a result of I don’t journey with it, however once I’m residence, generally I’ll pop in and play a recreation simply to do one thing totally different.
How do you unwind from the highest job?
I prioritize journaling and have been making an attempt so as to add extra mindfulness habits to my repertoire in order that I proceed to be at my greatest. I’ve been journaling since I used to be little, so I discover it helps me get my ideas out particularly when issues get overwhelming.
What’s one of the best bonus deal with you’ve purchased your self?
Ooh, that’s query. Actually, simply garments. I’ll give myself like a $3,000 restrict and on-line store till my fingers fall off. So I might say garments or a bag. I feel luggage are factor to put money into—though after they’re worn, they depreciate a little bit, it’s by no means to the purpose the place you possibly can’t get a few of your a refund for those who resolve to resell them.
Take us on vacation with you, what’s subsequent in your trip record?
I’ve truly by no means been on an actual vacation since I used to be most likely 16. I went to the Bahamas with my greatest pal and my dad and mom, and that was the final time. Often when the low season rolls round, I’m so bored with touring that I simply wish to lay in mattress. My dream vacation can be someplace tropical, simply sitting round doing nothing however consuming piña coladas and doing water sports activities. I’d most likely wish to go to Jamaica.
What number of days of annual depart do you’re taking a 12 months?
That’s a tricky query—I don’t have a quantity. If I do properly in a match, I’ll take perhaps 5–7 days off. If I do an enormous match like a Grand Slam and win, I’ll take per week off. Generally I’m going three or 4 weeks with out taking a day without work, and generally I get one or two days off per week for 3 or 4 weeks. It’s very results-dependent in tennis.
Fortune needs to listen to from enterprise leaders on what their “Good Life” appears to be like like. Get in contact: emma.burleigh@fortune.com or orianna.royle@fortune.com for the U.Ok. and Europe.
