As Coco Gauff prepares for Wimbledon, the rising American tennis star has shared her thoughts on a recent offer from Billie Jean King to provide private training sessions. The invitation comes amid Gauff’s impressive 2025 season, highlighted by her recent French Open victory and growing stature in the sport.

Speaking with USA Today, Gauff expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect with King, a former world number one and a trailblazer for women’s tennis.

“I think it’s very cool to see someone like that want to talk and things like that,”

Gauff said, acknowledging how King has reached out to her on several occasions.

“She has reached out a couple of times, and it has been great to have chats with her.”

When asked about what she hopes to gain from King’s mentorship, Gauff emphasized her admiration for King’s ability to balance competing at the highest level with broader social advocacy.

“I guess the main thing [I would like to learn] is how she handles it all,”

Gauff explained.

“She is someone who had to sacrifice a lot more than I did when it came to just pushing for equality and not necessarily just in sports, but the world in general.”

Gauff highlighted her interest in understanding how King maintained her mental strength while championing important social causes during her career.

“Just how she was able to balance being at the top of her game, but having that mental headspace to advocate for a lot of important things in the world.”

Billie Jean King’s influence on modern women’s tennis is profound; she was instrumental in securing sponsorship deals, such as with Virginia Slims in the 1970s, which helped advance the professional women’s tour. Her efforts, alongside other pioneers, laid the groundwork for the opportunities available to today’s players, including Gauff.

The Legacy of Billie Jean King and Venus Williams in Advancing Women’s Tennis

Coco Gauff also reflected on the critical role played by Billie Jean King and Venus Williams in pushing for equality within tennis and beyond. She described their determination as pivotal in shaping the sport’s progress towards fairness, especially regarding prize money.

“I always say we are so lucky that Billie Jean King, the original, Venus Williams, and people like that kind of put their foot down,”

Gauff stated.

“I feel like tennis can be years ahead, and it is because of them. I am just lucky that I am getting the product of that. I think it is great and I think tennis is important, that we continue to push it within our own sport.”

She acknowledged that though prize money is not yet equal in every event, ongoing efforts are crucial.

“We are not at equal prize money in everything, but we continue to push it, because I think every sport deserves that.”

Gauff expressed hope that continued advocacy within tennis will accelerate progress, saying,

“I think if we can continue to push in our own sport, it can reach a day, hopefully sooner rather than later, that everyone is getting the share of revenue that they deserve.”

Current Landscape of Prize Money and Rankings Ahead of Wimbledon

Entering Wimbledon, the dynamic between men and women’s prize earnings shows signs of shifting. More women than men are ranked among the top ten prize money earners in 2025, with Coco Gauff positioned third behind Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz. Gauff has earned over $5 million this year.

Despite this progress at the top, disparities remain evident further down the earnings list, where male players often earn significantly more than their female counterparts. However, thanks to the groundwork laid by King and Williams, the gap in pay continues to narrow, with WTA stars now earning more than ever before.

Wimbledon maintains equal prize money for men and women, and this year the winners in both draws will receive over $4 million. The women’s final is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, followed by the men’s final on Sunday, July 13, underscoring the tournament’s commitment to gender equality in the sport.

As Coco Gauff continues to rise in prominence, her connection with Billie Jean King symbolizes both a tribute to the pioneers of the game and a hopeful step toward further growth and equity in tennis.