Coco Gauff Tops Sportico’s List as Highest-Paid Female Athlete in 2025
Coco Gauff Sets the Benchmark for Earnings in Women’s Tennis
Coco Gauff has firmly established herself not just as one of the brightest young stars on the WTA Tour, but also as the highest-paid female athlete in 2025, according to Sportico’s latest annual rankings. The 21-year-old phenom reportedly raked in a staggering $31 million this year, with $8 million coming from her on-court performances and an impressive $23 million from sponsorships and endorsements.
The Close Contenders: Sabalenka and Swiatek
Trailing just behind Gauff is world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who amassed $30 million over the year. Her earnings were split evenly between $15 million in prize money and an equal sum from off-court ventures, reflecting both her dominance on the court and her growing marketability.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek rounds out the top three with $23.1 million. The Polish star earned $10.1 million from her tournament performances, while endorsement deals contributed another $13 million to her impressive annual haul.
Gauff’s Endorsement Empire
Gauff’s financial success has been fueled by a combination of early career sponsorships and the boost of becoming a Grand Slam champion at the 2023 US Open. Today, her endorsement portfolio reads like a who’s who of global brands: New Balance, Head, Rolex, Bose, UPS, American Eagle, Baker Tilly, Fanatics, Carol’s Daughter, and Ray-Ban Meta.
Despite the allure of lucrative deals, Gauff has been deliberate in choosing partnerships that align with her personal brand. In a candid interview with Forbes, she emphasized the importance of authenticity in her collaborations.
“With all my brands, I try to make sure it’s something that I do and use,” Gauff explained. “I’ve had opportunities that I’ve turned down because I just knew it wasn’t authentic to me. There are silly things I could have promoted, and no one would have known, but I know that’s not what I do. I’d rather skip something than mislead my audience.”
Key Takeaways for Fans and Aspiring Players
- Gauff demonstrates that success in tennis isn’t solely measured by trophies but also by strategic career decisions off the court.
- Authenticity in endorsements can strengthen a player’s long-term brand value.
- The financial gap between prize money and endorsements highlights how top players can leverage their public profile beyond the court.
Expert Analysis: Why Gauff Leads the Pack
Coco Gauff’s combination of talent, marketability, and integrity has made her a trailblazer in women’s tennis. While Sabalenka and Swiatek are formidable forces on the court, Gauff’s approach to partnerships and her careful curation of endorsements have propelled her to the top of Sportico’s earnings list for the third consecutive year.
For fans, her journey offers more than just inspiration it provides a blueprint for balancing competitive excellence with smart career management. Gauff is proving that in the modern game, being a champion extends far beyond the baseline.
