Coco Gauff has once again proven that her influence extends far beyond the baseline. For the second consecutive year, the 21-year-old tennis sensation has secured the top spot on the Forbes ranking of the world’s highest-paid female athletes. Over the last 12 months, Gauff’s financial portfolio reached an estimated $33 million, a figure driven by a powerful combination of championship grit and massive commercial appeal.
While her triumph at the French Open in June contributed a significant $8 million in prize money, it is Gauff’s life away from the court that truly sets her apart financially. She pulled in a staggering $25 million from endorsements alone, partnering with global giants like New Balance, Rolex, Bose, and Mercedes-Benz. This off-court haul is the largest of any female athlete in 2025, signaling her status as a premier face of modern sports marketing.
The leaderboard is heavily populated by her peers on the WTA Tour, showcasing the continued economic dominance of women’s tennis. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka follows closely in second place with $30 million in earnings. Sabalenka’s year was bolstered by her successful title defense at the US Open and lucrative deals with brands such as Nike and Audemars Piguet. Iga Świątek, a six-time major champion, takes the third spot with $25.1 million, while China’s Qinwen Zheng secured fifth place with $22.6 million. Despite an elbow injury that sidelined her for part of the season, Zheng’s commercial value remained sky-high.
Breaking the tennis monopoly in the top five is freestyle skier Eileen Gu, who ranks fourth with $23.1 million. According to data analyzed by Reports, the broader landscape of women’s sports is experiencing a significant financial upswing. The top 20 female athletes collectively earned $293 million this year—a 13% jump from the previous year. Even more impressive is the fact that 14 different athletes crossed the $10 million threshold, a record-breaking milestone for the industry.
Other notable figures making waves in the top ten include Madison Keys, who earned $13.4 million, followed by Naomi Osaka and Elena Rybakina, who are tied at $12.5 million. Jessica Pegula also remains a force in the earnings race, bringing in $12.3 million.
Gauff’s ascent to the peak of this list is a reflection of a career hitting its stride at the perfect moment. By pairing her second Grand Slam singles title with an ever-expanding portfolio of sponsors, she has become the definitive blueprint for the modern athlete-entrepreneur. It is clear that the earning potential for women in sports is not just growing; it is entering an entirely new stratosphere.
