In a year where Grand Slam titles eluded her, Coco Gauff still managed to end her 2024 season on a high note, securing a record-breaking $4.8 million paycheck after a dramatic victory at the WTA Finals. By defeating China’s Qinwen Zheng in a tense three-hour match, Gauff made history as the youngest player to win the prestigious event since Maria Sharapova in 2004. Despite not clinching a Grand Slam title this season, Gauff’s WTA Finals win became a major milestone in her career.
Gauff’s Financial Victory: More Than Just Glory
The victory not only earned Gauff her first WTA Finals title, but it also awarded her the highest payout ever for a tennis tour event: a staggering $4,805,000. This massive payday highlights the increasing financial rewards for top athletes in the sport. For context, the prize money at the 2024 WTA Finals surpassed Ashleigh Barty’s 2019 record of $4.42 million, setting a new benchmark for future generations of players. In comparison, the US Open singles champion in 2024 earned $3.6 million, making Gauff’s WTA Finals paycheck stand out even more.
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What Serena Williams’ Former Coach Thinks About Gauff’s Performance
Despite her victory, Gauff’s performance in her last group-stage match against Barbora Krejčíková drew mixed reactions. Many questioned her commitment after a loss to Krejcikova led to the elimination of reigning champion Iga Swiatek from the tournament. Some fans speculated that Gauff intentionally lost to eliminate Swiatek, a theory that was quickly dismissed by Rennae Stubbs, former coach of Serena Williams.
In an episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs labeled such accusations as “nonsense,” emphasizing that no professional player would ever deliberately lose a match, especially before reaching the semifinals. She pointed out that Gauff’s focus was always on winning, both for the glory of the tournament and for the financial benefits tied to her performance.
Why Gauff Would Never Want to Lose
Stubbs further explained why Gauff would have been fully invested in every match, particularly in the WTA Finals. According to Stubbs, “She’s thinking I wanna win again. I wanna get more money in my pocket.” The financial incentives for going undefeated in the tournament are significant, with players receiving bonus payouts for remaining perfect throughout the event. Gauff’s competitive spirit and strategic thinking likely factored into her desire to perform well, regardless of the outcome of her last group match.
Gauff’s Career Earnings Soar Past $20 Million
Gauff’s victory at the WTA Finals propelled her career earnings past $20 million, making her the first player born in 2004 or later to reach this monumental milestone. This achievement places her in an elite group of tennis players who have amassed substantial career earnings. The young American’s financial success is matched by her growing influence in the sport, with her achievements inspiring the next generation of players.
Coco Gauff Reacts to Her $4.8 Million Payout
Upon learning of her $4.8 million prize, Gauff’s reaction was one of genuine surprise. “4.8. Oh gosh,” she said, clearly overwhelmed by the amount. “I knew it was some money, but I didn’t know it was that much! It means a lot to me… 4.8. Oh gosh.” Gauff went on to express her pride at potentially being one of the highest-paid female athletes of the year, but reiterated that her primary goal had always been to win for herself, not for the prize money.
Though the prize money was substantial, Gauff remained humble, saying, “Honestly, I wanted to win this for myself. I didn’t know it was the prize cheque on this tour. I knew there was money, but I never play for this. But that is cool!” Despite the windfall, Gauff admitted she isn’t someone who tends to spend lavishly, stating, “I’ve bought a house and I don’t really know what else I want other than that.”
Coco Gauff’s reaction after winning the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
She falls to the floor.
The youngest WTA Finals Champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
20 years ago.
Sends chills down your spine.
Absolute scenes.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 9, 2024
What Will Gauff Do With Her Earnings?
As for how she plans to spend her winnings, Gauff isn’t quite sure. “How will I treat myself? I don’t know,” she said. “I’m going to a musical festival next week, but I’m not someone who likes to spend a lot of money, to be honest. I don’t know what I will do with it. That’s a lot of money!” Gauff’s down-to-earth approach to her newfound wealth demonstrates her grounded perspective, despite her massive success on the court.
Breaking New Ground in Women’s Sports
Gauff’s monumental paycheck is a reflection of the rising prominence of women’s tennis. The 2024 WTA Finals marked a turning point, with the event offering a record-breaking prize pool of $15.25 million, up by $6.25 million from the previous year. This increase in prize money not only rewards top players like Gauff but also signals the growing financial support for female athletes across sports.
FAQ: Answers to Common Questions About Coco Gauff’s 2024 WTA Finals Victory
1. How much did Coco Gauff win at the 2024 WTA Finals? Coco Gauff won a record $4.8 million at the 2024 WTA Finals, the largest payout in the history of the women’s tennis tour.
2. What was Coco Gauff’s reaction to her $4.8 million prize? Gauff was initially surprised by the amount, saying, “4.8. Oh gosh,” and expressing gratitude for the prize, but emphasized that her main motivation was always to win for herself.
3. How does Coco Gauff’s prize money compare to the US Open? Gauff’s $4.8 million prize at the WTA Finals is significantly higher than the $3.6 million awarded to the US Open singles champion in 2024.
4. Did Gauff deliberately lose a match at the WTA Finals? No, according to Rennae Stubbs, Gauff’s former coach Serena Williams, these claims are baseless. Stubbs emphasized that no player would purposely lose a match, especially when there’s a substantial financial reward at stake.
5. What are Gauff’s career earnings as of 2024? Coco Gauff surpassed $20 million in career prize money after winning the 2024 WTA Finals, making her the first player born in 2004 or later to achieve this milestone.
