Coco Gauff named highest-paid female athlete for second straight year

(Getty/Julian Finney)

Two-time major winner Coco Gauff has ended the season ranked as the top female athlete earner for the second consecutive year by Forbes.

Collecting an estimated A$50 million in 2025, Gauff is the fourth-highest earner in the publication's history, behind Naomi Osaka (A$86.2 million), Serena Williams (A$69.4 million) and her own A$52 million total from 12 months ago.

HEAD has partnered with the Kooyong Classic for 2026. HEAD will be on-site with all their latest products, including the launch of the new Revolt Pro 5.0. Visit the HEAD tents at the Kooyong Classic from 13-15th January to do a fit test on the new Revolt Pros.

Forbes' list is calculated by both on-court and off-court earnings.

"As I've gotten older, I don't want to just be a face of brands, but also be the brand," Gauff told the popular American magazine. "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."

The list compiles 20 athletes, with half of them containing tennis stars. Aryna Sabalenka (A$45.3 million) and Iga Świątek (A$38 million) round out the top three.

Full list:

Coco Gauff (A$50 million)

Aryna Sabalenka (A$45.3 million)

Iga Świątek (A$38 million)

Eileen Gu (A$35 million)

Qinwen Zheng (A$34.2 million)

Madison Keys (A$20.2 million)

Nelly Korda (A$19.7 million)

Naomi Osaka (A$19 million)

Elena Rybakina (A$19 million)

Jessica Pegula (A$18.6 million)

Caitlin Clark (A$18.3 million)

Amanda Anisimova (A$17.1 million)

Sabrina Ionescu (A$15.9 million)

Jeeno Thitikul (A$15.5 million)

Angel Reese (A$14.2 million)

Paige Bueckers (A$13.8 million)

Jasmine Paolini (A$12.5 million)

Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone (A$12.4 million)

Lindsey Vonn (A$12.4 million)

Ilona Maher (A$12.2 million)

The Kooyong Classic returns to the spiritual home of Australian tennis from January 13-15, 2026.

Each year, the Kooyong Classic features the world’s best players in their final preparation for the Australian Open. 

The 2026 event will feature Lorenzo Musetti, Alexander Bublik, Nick Kyrgios, Karen Khachanov, Flavio Cobolli, Frances Tiafoe, Learner Tien, Matteo Berrettini, Hubert Hurkacz, Marin Čilić and Zhang Zhizhen, alongside Donna Vekić and a special guest appearance Daniela Hantuchová. More to be announced in coming weeks.

Tickets on sale now through Ticketek/www.kooyongclassic.com.au

Hospitality packages can be viewed on the Kooyong Classic website and purchased by contacting info@kooyongclassic.com.au.