Coco Gauff has made history in a spectacular way! This year, she soared past the remarkable milestone of $30 million in annual income, becoming only the third woman ever to achieve this feat in the world of sports.’
In a thrilling twist, she also claimed the top spot on Sportico’s list of the highest-paid female athletes for 2024. She joins the ranks of the legends Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, making her accomplishment even more extraordinary!
At just 20 years old, this extraordinary talent navigated a rollercoaster season, diligently tackling every hurdle in her path. In an exhilarating turn of events, she ended the year on a high note, capturing the prestigious WTA Finals title. But that’s not all—she also etched her name in the record books with a stunning achievement that many fans might not even be aware of.
As reported by Sportico, the top 15 highest-earning female athletes globally are projected to earn around $221 million in 2024, reflecting a 27% increase from the previous year. This year, eleven athletes are anticipated to earn over $10 million, in contrast to six athletes in 2023.
Athletes from five diverse sports have made their mark, with tennis leading the charge, boasting an impressive nine entries. Golf is not far behind, contributing three standout players to the top 15. Meanwhile, the world of skiing is represented by the exceptional Eileen Gu, basketball shines with the remarkable Caitlin Clark, and gymnastics features the legendary Simone Biles.
Coco Gauff’s journey through the Grand Slams this year was a rollercoaster ride. While she faced some challenges, making her best efforts felt underwhelming in the semifinals at both the Australian Open and the French Open, she still managed to shine brightly by clinching the doubles title at Roland Garros.
Fast forward to 2024, and Gauff is back in the spotlight! She captured three impressive titles, one of which was the richest tournament in the sport. The pinnacle of her accomplishments came at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she performed extraordinary, battling past Zheng Qinwen with a nail-biting score of 3-6, 6-4, 7-6. This victory didn’t just add another trophy to her collection; it also made history, as she earned a staggering $4.805 million—the largest payout ever for a women’s tennis event.