Coco Gauff again leads the pack as the world’s top-earning female tennis player, pulling in 37.2 million dollars in the past year from a Grand Slam-winning season. Forbes’ annual tennis earnings list places the 21-year-old American at third overall among all players, behind Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Gauff’s on-court income totaled 12.2 million after capturing her second major title at the French Open, while endorsements accounted for 25 million, highlighting her appeal beyond the court. Brand partners cited include Bose, New Balance, and Carol’s Daughter, underscoring her status as one of the sport’s most marketable athletes.
In the broader Forbes top 10, Novak Djokovic sits with 29.6 million, followed by Aryna Sabalenka with 27.4 million; Sabalenka’s figure marks a rise of five spots from the previous year. Chinese star Qinwen Zheng earned 26.1 million, and Iga Swiatek is at 24 million. Rounding out the list are Taylor Fritz (15.6 million) and Frances Tiafoe (15.2 million), with Daniil Medvedev on 14.3 million to complete the group.
Gauff’s total is about 10 million higher than last year, and she enters the US Open hoping to add another major title and push her earnings even higher. She has overhauled her team after the Paris triumph, parting ways with coach Matthew Daly and bringing in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan to address a fault in her second serve. Long-time coach Jean-Christophe Faurel remains, with MacMillan aiming to sharpen her service motion, an approach similar to the work Sabalenka undertook to improve her serve.
Gauff will begin her US Open campaign against Australian Ajla Tomljanovic, as she looks to build on a year that has reinforced her status as a global sports figure and a powerful draw for sponsors.
Editor’s note: The earnings reveal the growing value of visibility for female tennis players, driven by major victories, consistent performance, and strategic partnerships across sports and lifestyle brands. The coaching changes signal a continued investment in technical improvement that could translate to continued success this season and potentially further boost endorsement interest.
Summary: Gauff’s continued on-court success and strong market appeal position her to keep expanding both her prize money and sponsorship footprint, with the US Open spotlight likely to amplify her trajectory.
Positive spin: The combination of on-court success and savvy branding bodes well for Gauff’s future, offering a hopeful outlook for fans and sponsors as she pursues more titles and continues to grow her influence in and beyond tennis.