Coco Gauff Remains Highest-Paid Female Athlete for Third Consecutive Year, Forbes Reports
Forbes announced on Tuesday that Coco Gauff continues her reign as the highest-paid female athlete, marking the third year in a row she has topped the list for 2025. The 21-year-old tennis sensation earned a total of $33 million this past year, fueled by $8 million in on-court winnings and a remarkable $25 million in endorsements.
Gauff’s victory at the French Open in May was a significant contributor to her annual earnings. While her income represents a slight decrease from the $34.4 million she earned in 2024, it solidifies her position as a dominant force in both the sporting world and the endorsement landscape. In 2024, Gauff achieved a major milestone, becoming only the third woman in history to surpass $30 million in annual income, following in the footsteps of tennis icons Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka. She first led the list in 2023 with earnings of $22.7 million.
Tennis Dominates the Top Earners List
The top three highest-paid female athletes in 2025 are all tennis players. Aryna Sabalenka secured the second spot with $30 million in earnings, split evenly between prize money and endorsements, becoming the fourth woman to reach the $30 million mark. Following closely behind is Iga Świątek, who earned a combined $25.1 million this year.
Notably, eight of the top 10 highest-paid female athletes compete in tennis. Beyond Gauff, Sabalenka, and Świątek, the list includes Qinwen Zheng (No. 5, $22.6 million), Madison Keys (No. 6, $13.4 million), Osaka (No. 8, $12.5 million), Elena Rybakina (No. 8, $12.5 million), and Jessica Pegula (No. 10, $12.3 million).
Here’s a comprehensive look at the top 20 highest-paid female athletes for 2025:
- Coco Gauff (Tennis) – $33 million
- Aryna Sabalenka (Tennis) – $30 million
- Iga Świątek (Tennis) – $25.1 million
- Eileen Gu (Skiing) – $23.1 million
- Qinwen Zheng (Tennis) – $22.6 million
- Madison Keys (Tennis) – $13.4 million
- Nelly Korda (Golf) – $13 million
- Naomi Osaka (Tennis) – $12.5 million
- Elena Rybakina (Tennis) – $12.5 million
- Jessica Pegula (Tennis) – $12.3 million
- Caitlin Clark (WNBA) – $12.1 million
- Amanda Anisimova (Tennis) – $11.3 million
- Sabrina Ionescu (WNBA) – $10.5 million
- Jeeno Thitikul (Golf) – $10.3 million
- Angel Reese (WNBA) – $9.4 million
- Paige Bueckers (WNBA) – $9.1 million
- Jasmine Paolini (Tennis) – $8.3 million
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Track and Field) – $8.2 million
- Lindsey Vonn (Skiing) – $8.2 million
- Ilona Maher (Rugby) – $8.1 million
The continued dominance of tennis players on this list underscores the sport’s global appeal and the lucrative opportunities available to its top stars. This trend is expected to continue as the next generation of athletes, like Gauff, continue to captivate audiences and attract significant endorsement deals.
