American tennis star Coco Gauff drew attention to the persistent pay gap affecting women’s sports while reflecting on tennis’s progress toward equal prize money between men and women. Speaking ahead of her Wimbledon opening round match on July 1, 2025, Gauff praised tennis for adopting equal pay at major tournaments, a move largely influenced by pioneers like Billie Jean King and the Williams sisters. However, she urged that other women’s sports receive similar recognition and financial support.
During an interview with USA Today Sports, Gauff said,
I love just being inspired by women and having my media and what I consume be it women um and I think it’s great that finally I feel like the other 50% maybe of the world are recognizing the worth in women’s sports and I think it is so inspiring, definitely.
—Coco Gauff, Tennis Player
She continued,
I get inspired by it and playing in tennis being so lucky to have things like equal prize money in our biggest events, um, you know, means a lot so I would love to see that attention go onto other sports and um cuz those women definitely deserve it.
—Coco Gauff, Tennis Player
Pay Disparities in Basketball Spotlighted by Caitlin Clark’s Case
Despite tennis’s strides toward pay equality, sports such as basketball lag significantly behind. In the WNBA, stars like Caitlin Clark earn considerably less than their male counterparts in the NBA. Clark’s agent, Erin Kane of Excel Sports Management, emphasized this imbalance and stated that the WNBA’s pay structure does not reflect Clark’s true market value or her impact on the league.
Kane explained,
I don’t think that’s possible. She is part of a larger player body that needs to be paid more by the WNBA. She should be recognized for what she has done and what she’s brought to the league from an economic standpoint. It’s as simple as that.
—Erin Kane, Caitlin Clark’s Agent
Coco Gauff’s Financial Perspective on Her Rising Success
Ranked as the highest-paid sportswoman by Forbes at just 21 years old, Gauff revealed a candid view of her earnings and spending habits after winning a $4.8 million prize at last year’s WTA Finals. Despite the significant sum, she portrayed herself as modest when it comes to money, admitting uncertainty about how she plans to use her winnings.
Gauff shared,
I knew it was some money, but I didn’t know that much. Oh, it means a lot to me… I have bought a house… I’m going to a music festival next week. So, I don’t know; I’m not someone who likes to spend a lot of money, to be honest. I don’t know what I’ll do with it. That’s a lot of money… Oh gosh, I hope I’m like one of the highest-paid female tennis players this year or athletes so that’ll be exciting. Honestly, I wanted to win this for myself. I didn’t know that it was the biggest prize check on this tour; I didn’t know anything about that. I knew there was money, but I try to never play for this, but that’s cool.
—Coco Gauff, Tennis Player
Looking Beyond Tennis: The Ongoing Fight for Equal Pay
While tennis sets an example through equal prize money at its biggest events, the broader context of women’s sports remains far less equitable. Gauff’s comments bring to light the need for other leagues, like the WNBA and track and field circuits, to reassess their compensation policies to better acknowledge and support female athletes. With rising stars like Gauff and Clark commanding attention, the conversation around fair pay across all women’s sports is gaining momentum.
Gauff’s advocacy reinforces the idea that recognizing female athletes’ contributions and worth is not only fair but essential for the growth and sustainability of women’s sports. Her success and visibility amplify these calls, encouraging a push toward financial equality that extends beyond tennis and into every arena where women compete professionally.