Coco Gauff, Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, and Portia Archer have been recognized among Forbes’ America’s Most Powerful Women in Sports 2025 list.
These four women represent different generations united by driving progress and empowerment through sport. Gauff has had a meteoric rise as one of tennis’ brightest young stars, while Williams has had a commanding presence as an investor and entrepreneur. King has had an enduring legacy in gender equality, while Archer was instrumental in transforming leadership at the WTA.
Coco Gauff Leads a New Generation of Powerful Women in Sports
Forbes’ annual ranking recognizes the female trailblazers who excel in their respective fields and use their platforms to influence policy, culture, and business. Tennis has long been a symbol of female empowerment, and this year’s list highlights its enduring role in driving change.
Leading the new wave of influence, Gauff secured the No. 13 spot on the Forbes list. Just two years after her breakthrough U.S. Open victory in 2023, Gauff has become one of the most recognizable faces in sports.
Forbes estimated her annual earnings at $37.2 million from last year, combining prize money and high-profile endorsements with New Balance, Head, and Barilla. Gauff has been outspoken about equality in tennis and broader issues affecting young athletes, and continues to advocate for fairness and social change.
How Are Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, and Portia Archer Redefining Leadership in Women’s Tennis?
Williams is ranked No. 11 on the Forbes list. Although she retired from professional tennis in 2022, her influence remains as strong as ever. According to Forbes, through her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, she has invested in more than 70 startups, with 78% of those led by women or people of color.
Williams also owns Angel City FC and the Los Angeles Golf Club, a TGL franchise backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
At No. 23, King continues to embody the heart and history of women’s equality in sports. Now 81, King’s legacy is rooted in the movement she helped ignite more than five decades ago, when she defeated Bobby Riggs in the legendary 1973 “Battle of the Sexes.”
Forbes credited her ongoing activism for equal pay and her continued leadership through the Women’s Sports Foundation and the Women’s Tennis Association she founded.
MORE: Former Serena Williams Coach Makes Major Family Claim About Coco Gauff’s Mentality
Rounding out the tennis contingent is Portia Archer, who claimed the No. 19 position after stepping into her new role as CEO of the WTA in August 2024. Archer, who previously served as the chief operating officer of the NBA G League, has already made waves with her approach to leadership. Forbes recognized her for steering the WTA toward a modern identity that balances player advocacy with business growth.
