Coco Gauff has recently revealed her vision, which extends beyond her sport, and how growing independently in her career offers certain advantages, including being free from corporations and agents, while also growing with her father’s vision.
The World No. 3 successfully made her fourth WTA Finals appearance in her 2025 season, winning one match against Jasmine Paolini and losing two group stage matches to Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka.
Coco Gauff Reflects on Growing Independently in Her Career and Enhancing Her Father’s Vision
Gauff, who was recently honoured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Sports list, has notably ventured beyond tennis with her business endeavours. She is also the highest-paid female athlete for the third consecutive year. According to Sportico’s list, Gauff topped the rankings with $31 million, followed by current World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in second place and Iga Świątek in third.
During her recent interview with Forbes, the Atlanta, Georgia, native shared reflections on her decisions, guided by her own values and free from influence by agents or corporations, adding, “I think there’s a certain level of freedom when you are rocking with yourself,” citing examples of Federer and Naomi Osaka, who have notably evolved in their careers.
She also reflected on growing herself as the brand and her father, Corey Gauff’s, vision for her. She mentioned, “As I’ve gotten older, I don’t want to just be a face of brands, but also be the brand. My dad has always said that this was his plan for me when I was younger, and it was up to me if I wanted to hop on board or not. And when I became 18, I knew that this is something that I wanted to work for.”
Gauff has sponsorship deals with New Balance, Italian food company Barilla, CPA firm Baker Tilly US, LLP, and Miu Miu, the Italian high-fashion women’s accessory and clothing brand. Apart from these deals, she has now become the brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz.
Gauff, who left her long-time agency Team8, founded by Swiss legend Roger Federer and his agent, Tony Godsick, has also launched her own management company, Gauff Enterprises. She had also partnered with WME, which also represented WTA legend Serena Williams.
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Through her social media, the 21-year-old has defined the changes to “take greater ownership” when it comes to her career, and as she elevates herself “as an athlete, entrepreneur, and changemaker”.
Gauff Shares Her Golden Advice to the Upcoming Black Athletes
During her interview with Forbes earlier this month, she shared her inspirational message for the coming generation of black athletes, citing her grandmother and the sacrifices she made as an example.
She added, “I would say first make sure that this is something that you want to do and not feel like you have to do. I always knew I wanted to. The history of my grandmother, she was one of the first student to integrate a local high school in Florida. She was 15 when she did that, nothing compared to the sacrifice she had to go through with being called all types of things just to go to school.”
Gauff continued, “I would be doing a disservice if I didn’t show up authentically as who I am, not only on the court, but off the court. Never let anyone tell you that you should just do your sport, because no one just does their job.”
The WTA star reflected on why her authenticity matters to her, advising athletes to follow their personal choices rather than obligations, while also highlighting that they can grow beyond their sport.
