In a season-defining moment, 20-year-old tennis sensation Coco Gauff clinched her first WTA Finals title in an unforgettable showdown against Qinwen Zheng, adding a whopping $4.805 million to her earnings. This massive payday propelled Gauff’s career prize money beyond $20 million, solidifying her place among tennis’s elite earners before she’s even reached her 21st birthday.
In a nail-biting final, Gauff displayed remarkable resilience, turning the tables after Zheng served for the championship, ultimately winning 3-6, 6-4, 7-6. With this victory, she claimed her second career milestone title following her US Open triumph last year. Along the way, Gauff powered past formidable opponents Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, securing one of the most hard-earned trophies of her career.
The 2024 WTA Finals, hosted in Saudi Arabia, offered unprecedented prize money, elevating the financial stakes in women’s tennis to new heights. Gauff’s historic payday of nearly $5 million set a record as the largest single-event prize ever awarded to a female tennis player. That amount alone eclipses her combined winnings from all her other tournaments in 2024, providing a powerful incentive for the WTA’s choice to bring the tournament to Saudi Arabia.
However, Saudi Arabia’s increasing influence in sports, including tennis, has sparked debates similar to those in golf, where lucrative incentives have led to deep divisions within the sport. Many fans and critics express concern about the potential influence of Saudi Arabia’s government, citing human rights issues, particularly around women’s and LGBTQ rights. Gauff, a vocal advocate for both groups, shared mixed feelings about competing in Saudi Arabia but ultimately focused on the positive potential her presence could bring.
With her latest earnings boost, Gauff has catapulted her career total past $21.5 million, placing her among just 25 women in tennis history to surpass the $20 million milestone. She now ranks 23rd in all-time career earnings, recently overtaking the legendary Justine Henin. Next in Gauff’s sights is Martina Navratilova’s record of $21.6 million, a figure Gauff is likely to surpass in 2025.
Gauff’s rise has sparked anticipation of her continued climb up the prize money ranks, with icons like Naomi Osaka and Steffi Graf just ahead of her in the 20th and 21st spots, respectively. Given her recent string of victories and undeniable momentum, it seems only a matter of time before she secures her spot in the Top 20.
While the Williams sisters reign supreme in career prize money—Serena Williams topping the list with $94.8 million and Venus Williams trailing with $42.6 million—Coco Gauff’s journey is just beginning. Her win in Saudi Arabia is more than a title; it’s a declaration that Gauff is poised to lead the next era of women’s tennis both on the court and in the sport’s economic landscape.
