American tennis star Coco Gauff named the highest-paid female athlete for 2024
Tennis player Coco Gauff has topped the list of highest-earning female athletes for a second year running after raking in $30.4 million in prize money and endorsements during 2024.
The 20-year-old is the third female athlete in history to earn more than $30 million in a calendar year after fellow tennis stars Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka.
It has been a remarkably successful year for women’s sports as burgeoning fan interest and increased funding have led to unprecedented growth.
Sports News Blitz writer Shameeka Voyiya is here with all the details.
Another successful season
It was a typically high quality year for Gauff, who book-ended the regular season with wins at the Auckland Open and the China Open, where she became the first American champion since Serena Williams in 2013.
The Atlanta native then rounded off 2024 by defeating Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng during the WTA Finals in Riyadh to claim her ninth overall WTA singles title.
“I’m so grateful for all the support [over] the last few weeks. Getting to win the last tournament of the season and it also being my second biggest title of my career so far is insane,” Gauff, the world No.3, wrote on Instagram.
“Wow WTA FINALS CHAMPION. All glory to God truthfully. I’m eternally grateful for the life I get to live and to have moments like this makes all of the hours/sacrifice I put into this worth it. Time to rest for a little bit but then it’s back to grind for next years szn [sic].”
READ MORE: WNBA star Caitlin Clark named TIME’s Athlete of the Year for 2024
More than just a sports star
On the back of her enduring success on the court, Gauff has secured endorsements with leading brands such as New Balance, UPS, Bose, Rolex, and L’Oreal.
Indeed, she currently has 11 long-term sponsorship deals, with hair care brand Carol’s Daughter the latest addition to the line-up.
Additionally, Gauff’s triumph in Saudi Arabia saw her pocket $4.8 million in prize money, the largest ever payout at a WTA Tour event.
In the end, it is clear that Gauff’s success is not only due to her obvious talent on the tennis court, with her off-court deals and numerous sponsorships playing a big part in catapulting the American to the top of the earnings leaderboard.
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