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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.
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.
