Coco Gauff is proving that her star power goes far beyond the tennis court. For the second year in a row, the 21-year-old has claimed the top spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid female athletes, earning an estimated $33 million over the past year.
While Gauff’s French Open triumph in June brought in about $8 million in prize money, it was her off-court presence that truly pushed her earnings to the top. Endorsement deals with major brands such as New Balance, Bose, Rolex, and Mercedes-Benz accounted for roughly $25 million, making her the highest off-court earner among all female athletes on the 2025 list.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka follows closely behind with earnings of $30 million. Her income was fueled by a strong mix of prize money, including a successful US Open title defence, alongside endorsement partnerships with Nike, Audemars Piguet, and Master & Dynamic. Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Świątek takes third place with $25.1 million.
The list also highlights the growing influence of athletes outside traditional tennis powerhouses. Freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu earned $23.1 million, while Qinwen Zheng rounded out the top five with $22.6 million. Despite an elbow injury that limited her season, Zheng’s endorsement deals made up the majority of her earnings, underlining her market appeal.
According to Forbes, the top 20 highest-paid female athletes earned a combined $293 million in 2025, marking a 13 percent increase from the previous year. A record 14 athletes crossed the $10 million mark, with tennis continuing to dominate the rankings. Half of the top 10 athletes come from the WTA Tour, including Madison Keys, Naomi Osaka, Elena Rybakina, and Jessica Pegula.
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Gauff’s continued dominance on the list reflects a powerful combination of performance and brand value. With multiple Grand Slam titles and a growing portfolio of global endorsements, she represents a new era of athletes who are just as influential in culture and business as they are in sport.
