Coco Gauff has tightened her grip on the financial summit of women\u2019s sports, earning the title of the highest-paid female athlete for the third consecutive year.<\/p>\n
Sportico\u2019s 2025 rankings placed the American star at an estimated $31 million in total income, a figure powered by $8 million in prize money and an impressive $23 million from her commercial partnerships.<\/p>\n
The Rising Influence of Coco Gauff as She Builds a Powerful Brand Beyond Tennis<\/p>\n
The recognition<\/a> highlights just how quickly Gauff has transformed from a teenage prodigy into one of the most influential faces in global sports. Earlier in the year, she took a significant step in shaping her long-term career by launching Coco Gauff Enterprises with the talent agency WME, after spending seven years represented by Team8, which is associated with Roger Federer.<\/p>\n The shift gives her tighter control over her business trajectory while reinforcing her status as one of the most marketable young figures<\/a> in sports today. WME, notably, has no equity in the venture, underscoring Gauff\u2019s ownership of her professional path.<\/p>\n Highest-paid female athletes, per @Sportico<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u25aa\ufe0f Coco Gauff #1 for 3rd straight year \ud83d\udcc8: @LevAkabas<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NkEhAfrxCq<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kurt Badenhausen (@kbadenhausen) December 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Much of her financial success is fueled by a robust endorsement portfolio, anchored by her most lucrative partnership with New Balance. The footwear and apparel company first signed her in her early teens, then renegotiated the deal in 2022 to secure one of the richest contracts in the women\u2019s game. Gauff now works with more than a dozen brands, including Baker Tilly, Bose, Head, Rolex, Mercedes-Benz, and Chase Bank.<\/p>\n This year, she also collaborated with New Balance and Miu Miu to launch a tennis-inspired apparel line. Beyond endorsements, Gauff expanded her business footprint early in the year by investing in Unrivaled, a startup women\u2019s basketball league.<\/p>\n Tennis star Coco Gauff leads the way for the third straight year with $31 million, here are some other notable names that made the top 15.<\/p>\n Which name sticks out most to you?<\/p>\n Full list here: https:\/\/t.co\/I30ARcv9hX<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ATNSoV9Tbd<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sportico (@Sportico) December 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Sportico\u2019s list further emphasized tennis\u2019s dominance in female earnings, with World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka close behind at $30 million, six-time Grand Slam champion Iga \u015awi\u0105tek earning $23.1 million, Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen at $20.6 million, and Australian Open champion Madison Keys at $13.4 million.<\/p>\n MORE: Coco Gauff\u2019s Mother Candi and Father Corey React to Daughter\u2019s Forbes 30 Under 30 Inclusion<\/a><\/p>\n Elena Rybakina followed at $12.6 million, with Naomi Osaka at $12.5 million, Amanda Anisimova at $10.8 million, Jessica Pegula at $10.5 million, and Venus Williams at $10.2 million.<\/p>\n How Has Gauff Emerged as One of the Most Influential Young Athletes This Year?<\/p>\n The 21-year-old tennis standout has racked up several major milestones this year. She earned a spot in the 15th edition of Forbes\u2019 30 Under 30 Class of 2026 in the Sports category, joining prominent NFL<\/a> figures Jalen Hurts<\/a> and Saquon Barkley<\/a>, along with other rising names across entertainment and media. Forbes also highlighted emerging talent, including actors Mikey Madison and Alex Warren, and musicians Benson Boone and Doechii.<\/p>\n In October, Gauff received another significant honor when Forbes ranked her No. 13 on its America\u2019s Most Powerful Women in Sports list, placing her alongside icons like Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, and WTA chief executive Portia Archer.<\/p>\n
\u25aa\ufe0f 10 tennis players rank in top 15
\u25aa\ufe0f Top 15 made $249M, up 12%
\u25aa\ufe0fCutoff jumped from $6.7M to $10.1M
\u25aa\ufe0f Endorsements are 99%+ of total for Gu, Clark, Biles, and 98% for Venus<\/p>\n