Coco Gauff becomes highest paid female athlete in the world

Coco Gauff has officially become the highest-paid female athlete in the world. The 19-year-old tennis star earned $23 million from prize money and endorsements in 2023.

This remarkable achievement follows a successful and lucrative year for Gauff on and off the tennis court. She earned $3 million for winning her first Grand Slam title at the US Open, becoming the first American teenager to win the title since Serena Williams in 1999. Gauff reaped $6.7 million in on-court earnings this year.

Success on the court has brought Gauff fruitful partnerships with high-profile companies such as accounting firm Baker Tilly, UPS, Bose, and Rolex. She also did campaigns for Ray-Ban Meta glasses and made a guest appearance in the movie, ‘The Marvels’. These endorsement deals totaled up to $16 million in endorsement pay.

Gauff is no stranger to signing profitable contracts with corporate sponsors. By the age of fifteen, the tennis prodigy had signed agreements with racket maker Head, Italian pasta giant Barilla and New Balance. She signed a five-year extension with New Balance in 2022 which made her one of the richest in the women’s game.

In addition, New Balance launched a signature shoe for Gauff in 2022. She is also the only active player with a signature tennis sneaker across all brands. Gauff has won six WTA Tour singles titles, eight doubles titles, and is currently ranked at Number 3 in both tournaments.

Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles are also featured among the 15 highest-paid female athletes of 2023.