American tennis player urges Coco Gauff to become World No.1 next year
Coco Gauff has been rejuvenated ever since she parted ways with Brad Gilbert at the end of the US Open this year.
Follow Us
Coco Gauff (via X/WTA)
Christopher Eubanks believes Coco Gauff could reach the WTA world No. 1 ranking during the 2025 tennis season. Gauff reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 between June and August this year. She ended the season ranked No. 3, behind Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.
In August, Gauff dropped to No. 6 after failing to defend her titles at the Cincinnati Open and US Open. However, she regained her form later in the year. She won the WTA 1000 China Open and the WTA Finals, climbing back to the No. 3 spot in the rankings.
We’ve seen so much greatness from her at such a young age, I think it’s safe to say that she will become world number one. I think although it’s a big points deficit, I think she can do it next year. Not just because of what I’ve seen from her at the end of last year at the WTA Finals, having to go through a gauntlet in order to take that title, but also look at history here.
Christopher Eubanks said on Tennis Channel (H/T: The Tennis Gazzette)
Gauff started 2024 strong, defending her ASB Classic title in Auckland and reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open and French Open. But her form dipped mid-year with early losses at Wimbledon, the Paris Olympics, Cincinnati, and the US Open.
Her highest ranking in 2021 was 19, in 2022 it was 4 in the world, in 2023 it was 3 in the world, and in 2024 it was 2 in the world. It’s trending towards progress each and every year. This year was number two, there’s only one place to go from there.
Christopher Eubanks added
After her US Open loss, Gauff made changes to her coaching team, parting ways with Brad Gilbert and bringing in Matt Daly. She then won titles in Beijing and Saudi Arabia. Gauff still trails Sabalenka and Swiatek in points, but with fewer points to defend in early 2024, she has a chance to close the gap during the hard-court season.
Coco Gauff becomes the highest-paid female tennis athlete in the world
Coco Gauff was recently named the most marketable athlete in the world. She also earned more money than any female athlete this year. Forbes revealed that the 20-year-old topped the list of highest-paid female athletes for 2024. She earned $34.4 million, far surpassing Iga Swiatek, who came in second, and Ailing Gu, who was third.
Out of Gauff’s earnings, $9.4 million came from her performance on the court. This included the record prize money she received at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The remaining $25 million came from her many sponsorships. She partnered with brands like Carol’s Daughter, Fanatics, Naked Juice, New Balance, and others.
Gauff’s earnings make 2024 one of the best years ever for a female athlete. Only Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams have earned more in a single year. Osaka made $57.3 million in 2021, and Serena made $45.9 million the same year. Gauff now joins them as one of the top earners in women’s sports history.
Women’s tennis players often dominate these lists. This year, 11 of the top 20 highest-paid female athletes are from the WTA. Swiatek earned $23.8 million, Qinwen Zheng made $20.6 million, and Aryna Sabalenka brought in $18.7 million, completing Forbes’ top five earners.
Stay Updated!
Fahad Hamid
(670 Articles Published)