A screen capture of a photo posted to Isabella Buck's Instagram account on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (Instagram/@bellabuck)
The U.S. Open is known for electrifying matches and superstar athletes. But this year, a baby in a pink helmet has captured hearts and headlines.
Meet Stella, a cheerful infant from Michigan who has unexpectedly become the tournament’s newest darling. A viral video shows tennis stars, including Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz, bending down to sign Stella’s pink helmet, now dubbed by fans as “the hottest collectible at the U.S. Open.”
From a Family Joke to Viral Fame
Stella’s mother, Katerina Buck, told Michigan’s WOOD TV8 that the viral moment started as a lighthearted idea. Stella had received her helmet only two weeks before the tournament. Traveling to New York with her sister Bella and a friend, Buck joked about getting athletes to sign the helmet.
They didn’t expect much—until their first match featuring Carlos Alcaraz. Bella carried Stella toward the court, and soon the crowd erupted with chants of “Sign the baby!”
“That set the tone,” Buck said. “You can’t start on that foot and then go downhill.”
A Star Beyond the Matches
In a tournament that’s seen dramatic player meltdowns and even an incident of a fan snatching a hat from a child, Stella’s presence has been a refreshing delight. Social media has been flooded with admiration for the tiny fan and her unique memorabilia.
“Most memorable U.S. Open in history,” one fan commented on Instagram. Another praised the cleverness of making the helmet “iconic.” On TikTok, a user called Stella’s pink Starband helmet “the hottest collectible at the U.S. Open.”
Some fans even joked that a yellow helmet might have made her resemble a tennis ball. Still, the pink one has now gained legendary status.
The Story Behind the Helmet
Stella’s helmet isn’t a fashion choice. It’s a Starband medical device used to treat cranial deformities. Stella, like many babies, is undergoing treatment for positional plagiocephaly, a condition where a baby’s head develops a flat spot from lying on their back.
The Canadian Paediatrics Society notes that the condition is common. A 2013 University of Calgary study found that 47 percent of infants aged 7 to 12 weeks showed some form of plagiocephaly. While mild cases often resolve naturally, others require corrective helmets.
For Buck, going viral has carried an unexpected benefit: helping normalize the use of these helmets.
“Not that her helmet is a bad situation,” she explained. “It just wasn’t how I pictured my child’s life. But we made the best of it.”
Preserving the Signatures
Stella must wear her now-famous helmet for about six more months. That’s left her mom with one unusual worry—how to preserve the celebrity autographs.
Buck shared that she has already applied three coats of clear spray paint and even ordered supplies like mod podge to ensure the signatures last.
As the U.S. Open rolls on, the spotlight remains not only on the fierce competition but also on baby Stella, whose pink helmet and bright smile have become an unforgettable symbol of joy at Flushing Meadows.
