Coco Gauff was late to her practice session on Thursday at one of the practice courts in Melbourne. When she finally arrived, she was surprised to see fellow Atlanta native and her friend Storm Reid up in the place of chair umpire.
Gauff and Reid are both from Atlanta, Georgia, and are also signed with New Balance. Reid is an actress known for her roles in The Last of Us and A Wrinkle in Time.
The Australian Open’s official Instagram account posted the reunion of both of these American stars on the court. Reid takes on the camera and introduces herself as the chair umpire.
“Hi guys, it’s Storm here,” Reid said. “We are at the 2026 Australian Open with New Balance, and I am in the umpire’s chair. I don’t know how I got here. We are about to surprise Coco and wish her luck. Am I nervous? I don’t know why I’m nervous. I love surprises, so I hope she’s surprised and excited.”
When Gauff finally arrived, a little late, she was putting her bag at the table when Reid nudged her saying:
“Hey, stranger. I just wanted to say hello and wish you luck.”
When Gauff first looked, she was surprised, eliciting “Oh my god” reaction before embracing the fellow American.
Reid watched Gauff practising from the sidelines of the court, and she was mesmerized.
“I feel like I’m playing, and that’s ridiculous,” Reid said. “It’s so mesmerizing what she does. The hand-eye coordination, the skill, it’s ridiculous.”
Notably, Storm Reid and Coco Gauff both participated in renovating Brownwood Park in Atlanta. New Balance and the Mayor of Atlanta also extended their support for their initiatives.
Storm Reid honored Coco Gauff at the 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards
Coco Gauff was celebrated for her fashion game as Storm Reid presented the American pro with the Style Influencer of the Year award at the 2025 Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York. At the podium, Reid reflected on her relationship with Gauff and how the tennis star is an inspirational figure to her and others.
“She not only gives powerful performances on the court, she also has fearless style,” Reid said. “Coco is chic, she is elegant and she takes risks, all while remaining fully herself — a value that we both share as a part of the NB New Balance family. We may have met because of New Balance, but we bonded over our passions for our respective crafts.”
“We both love what we do while remembering what it took to get us here. Yes, Coco is influencing a generation of young women and athletes with her impeccable style. And also because she doesn’t give up and she always gives back. To Coco, paying it forward to community is always in style. And she consistently uses her influence for good. I’m proud to stand up here with Coco and congratulate her on her momentous reward.”
Two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff now looks forward to making Reid and other Atlanta natives proud by winning the 2026 Australian Open.
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