Cori Dionne “Coco” Gauff has won her first Grand Slam singles title, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the U.S. Open final on Saturday.
The 19-year-old Gauff is the youngest American woman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Serena Williams won the US Open in 1999. She is also the first African-American woman to win a Grand Slam singles title since Venus Williams won Wimbledon in 2000.
Gauff’s win is a major boost for women’s tennis, which has been struggling to find a new star after Serena Williams’ retirement. Gauff is expected to become a major marketing force in the years to come. She is already signed with several major brands, and her popularity is only going to grow.
Earning Potential
Gauff’s victory is expected to significantly boost her earning potential. She is already one of the most popular tennis players in the world, and her win will only make her more marketable. She is expected to sign new endorsement deals and increase her appearance fees.
According to Forbes, Gauff’s earnings from endorsements, appearance fees, and other business endeavors totaled an estimated $12 million in the last 12 months. Her win at the US Open is expected to add millions more to her earnings.
Grand Slam Prize Money
Gauff’s first Grand Slam title comes with a $3 million winner’s check, pushing her prize money to $5.6 million this year and $11.1 million across her five-year pro career. This means that she has already surpassed her career earnings goal of $10 million by the age of 20.
Future Earnings Projections
Forbes projects that Gauff’s earnings could reach $50 million by the end of her career. This is based on her current trajectory and the fact that she is still young and has many years of tennis ahead of her.
Gauff is a highly marketable sports figure with a significant presence on social media. Additionally, her willingness to express her opinions on social and political matters enhances her attractiveness to brands that share her values or aim to be associated with such perspectives.
Of course, there are no guarantees in the world of sports. However, based on her current trajectory, she is poised to become one of the most successful athletes in the world, and her earnings will only continue to grow in the years to come.
