Coco Gauff has quickly become one of the most influential voices in tennis. At just 21 years old, she is already a two-time Grand Slam champion and recently earned a place in Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list, recognized for her impact in both sport and fashion. With nearly 30 million dollars in career prize money, she ranks No. 11 among players with the most prize money won in history. Her off-court earnings are even more impressive, with close to 25 million dollars in 2025 alone, thanks to endorsements and investments, including her stake in the women’s basketball league Unrivaled.
Confidence in her future
Reflecting on her journey, Gauff acknowledged that her best tennis is still ahead. “On court, I feel so far away from my potential,” she said. “If you asked me that before, I used to think, ‘Oh, it’s happening now, I got to capitalize on the moment.’ But then I look at the tour and I see girls having their best results at 25 or 26. So, in four years, I feel like I would be where I would like to be.”
Calling out the pay gap
Gauff has become a strong advocate for equal pay in tennis, particularly at combined ATP and WTA events. She highlighted the disparity between men’s and women’s earnings despite similar workloads and fan interest. “There’s no reason we’re playing at the same venue, same two-out-of-three sets, and yet the pay gap is that large… sometimes female players like me, Aryna, Iga, or Jess are selling out stadiums more than some of the guys getting paid way more,” she said. While Grand Slam tournaments already offer equal prize money, many other events still favor men financially.
Family influence and activism
Gauff credits her grandmother, who played a role in integrating her local high school, for inspiring her courage to speak out on systemic issues. “Compared to the sacrifice she went through, me making a post or talking in an interview is nothing,”
she explained. This family legacy has shaped her activism and authenticity, reinforcing her commitment to fairness and equality.Building a legacy beyond trophies
For Gauff, success is not only about winning titles but also about making an impact. “On court, I want to be known as mentally strong. Off court, I want to be remembered as a good human who impacted people’s lives,”
she said. Her voice continues to resonate across the sport, pushing for change while inspiring the next generation.Serena Williams’ influence
Serena Williams remains a defining figure in Gauff’s development. Growing up watching Serena dominate the sport gave Gauff a sense of representation and possibility. “Seeing someone that looked like me thriving in a sport like tennis… that representation meant a lot to me,” she said. Serena also offered mentorship, guiding Gauff through the pressures of elite competition. “She told me there are ups and downs in this journey… focus on my path and my expectations of myself, not the expectations placed by others,” Gauff recalled.
Coco Gauff’s combination of athletic excellence, business acumen, and advocacy for equality positions her as one of the most important voices in modern tennis, shaping both the present and future of the sport.
Cori Gauff in 2025
At the moment ranked no.3, Gauff played her last match on the 6th of November when she surrendered to world no.6 Jessica Pegula 6-3 6-7(4) 6-2 in the round robin in Riyadh (draw).
This season Gauff has an overall 48-16 match record. Gauff has won 3 titles in 2025 in Australia, French Open and Wuhan. The American was the runner-up in Madrid and Rome.