JUST 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE CEREMONY: Coco Gauff Boldly Rejects Elon Musk’s Tesla Logo on Her Jersey at Roland Garros — “Don’t Turn Me Into a Marketing Tool!” Leaves Musk Speechless, Media in Shock

In a dramatic and unexpected moment that stunned the sports and business world alike, tennis sensation Coco Gauff made headlines at the 2025 Roland Garros Awards Ceremony by publicly rejecting a major sponsorship move from billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk and his electric vehicle empire, Tesla.

According to multiple sources and eyewitnesses, just five minutes before stepping onto the podium to receive her runner-up trophy, Gauff was presented with a last-minute request by event organizers: wear a customized jacket featuring the Tesla logo, marking what would have been a surprise promotional partnership revealed live during the televised ceremony.

However, Coco Gauff didn’t flinch. In front of the backstage crew, sponsors, and Musk’s personal PR team, the 21-year-old tennis star calmly — but firmly — refused.

Her words were powerful, clear, and completely unplanned:
“Tell Elon Musk not to turn me into a marketing tool for his empire.”

The room went silent. Members of the Tesla entourage were visibly stunned, and Elon Musk himself, who was reportedly watching from a VIP suite, was said to be “caught completely off guard” by the bold and unapologetic stance.

Gauff then chose to wear her standard, logo-free Nike training jacket to the ceremony, where she accepted her trophy to thunderous applause — and without a trace of Tesla branding. Despite being approached again afterward for a photo opportunity, she politely declined, saying:
“Athletes are more than billboards. I won’t compromise that, not even for Tesla.”

News of the incident spread like wildfire. Social media exploded with praise for Gauff’s integrity, with hashtags like #RespectCoco, #NotYourBillboard, and #MuskMuted trending globally within hours.

Prominent figures in sports and culture voiced their support. Serena Williams tweeted:

“Proud of @CocoGauff. This is what standing for something looks like.”

Meanwhile, critics of excessive corporate influence in sports hailed the moment as “a powerful line drawn in the sand.”

Elon Musk has yet to release an official statement. Sources close to Tesla say the sponsorship idea was meant to be a “surprise brand integration,” not a contractually obligated deal. Still, many questioned the ethics of last-minute corporate pushes at high-profile athlete moments, especially those meant to celebrate personal achievement.

Gauff’s representatives later confirmed she had been approached with a lucrative offer days before the final, which she declined. “It’s not about money,” Gauff stated in a post-ceremony interview. “It’s about staying true to myself and what I believe this sport should represent.”

As the tennis world reflects on her extraordinary performance on the court, the world is now also talking about the moment she made history off it — not with a racket, but with her voice.