Coco Gauff to Produce Inspiring Docu-Shorts Highlighting Tennis Pioneer Zina Garrison and the Sport’s Rich History.
Tennis Channel, Religion of Sports, and iROC Media Group Collaborate on New Premium Series.
Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff is stepping into filmmaking with her debut as an executive producer on two original Tennis Story documentary shorts celebrating the sport’s rich history and the legacy of trailblazer Zina Garrison. The projects are being developed in partnership with Tennis Channel and Religion of Sports.
Produced by Gauff’s iROC Media Group alongside Religion of Sports—the acclaimed production company co-founded by Tom Brady and Michael Strahan—the documentaries are set to premiere later this summer on Tennis Channel and its streaming app. According to Blex Media, the releases will launch a new slate of premium documentary content.
The first untitled documentary explores the evolution of tennis fashion, highlighting how it has become a powerful form of cultural expression and personal identity both on and off the court.
The second documentary shines a spotlight on tennis icon Zina Garrison, celebrating her groundbreaking achievements and lasting influence on the sport. According to the USTA, Garrison became the first African American woman to reach the Wimbledon singles final since Althea Gibson accomplished the feat in 1957 and 1958. She advanced to the Wimbledon final in 1990 and later captured Olympic gold and bronze medals at the 1988 Seoul Games, according to Olympics.com.
Through her growing media company, Coco Gauff aims to honor trailblazers like Garrison while preserving the stories of athletes who helped shape tennis history despite overcoming significant barriers. Gauff said her experiences as a young Black athlete inspired her to explore these stories, recognizing the importance of representation and amplifying voices that have often been overlooked. The project reflects her expanding role beyond the court, using storytelling to celebrate the pioneers who paved the way for future generations.
“I’ve always admired how tennis reaches far beyond the court and shapes culture,” Gauff said in a statement. “Zina Garrison’s story is especially meaningful to me. She is a trailblazer whose resilience, excellence, and lasting impact on the sport have inspired generations of players, myself included.”
The documentaries will be directed by Vashni Korin, with Chelsea Marotta serving as producer.
Tennis Channel CEO Jeff Blackburn praised Gauff’s transition into filmmaking, saying her vision and leadership as a champion are now extending into storytelling. Alongside the announcement, Tennis Channel unveiled Tennis Story: The Vault, a curated streaming collection featuring 20 short documentaries spotlighting influential sports figures, including Kobe Bryant and Ben Shelton.
Gauff’s debut as an executive producer reflects a growing movement of athletes taking control of their own stories. Joining the ranks of sports icons like LeBron James and Serena Williams, she is using documentary filmmaking to preserve history, amplify underrepresented voices, and inspire future generations through authentic storytelling.
