The crown of Forbes’ 2025 list of the highest-paid female athletes goes to Coco Gauff, marking her as the top earner for a second straight year. On December 16, 2025, Forbes released their annual rankings, revealing that the 21-year-old tennis star accumulated $33 million in total earnings this year. Of that total, $8 million came from on-court prize money, boosted by her June triumph at the French Open. The remaining $25 million flowed from off-court sources, primarily endorsements with brands like New Balance, Bose, and Baker Tilly. Here is a recap of the top 10, with more context and details below.
1) Coco Gauff — $33 million total (On-court: $8 million; Off-court endorsements contributing significantly to the rest).
2) Aryna Sabalenka — $30 million. Sabalenka’s achievements include a U.S. Open title and appearances in the finals of the Australian Open, French Open, and WTA Finals, helping her climb to second place. She has also moved into second on the WTA career prize money list with $45.2 million, still behind Serena Williams’ $94.8 million record.
3) Iga Świątek — $25.1 million, placing her third on the list.
4) Eileen Gu Ailing (Gu Ailing) — $23.1 million, fourth position.
5) Qinwen Zheng — $22.6 million, rounding out the top five.
6) Madison Keys — $13.4 million, sits at No. 6.
7) Nelly Korda — $13 million, the sole non-tennis athlete in the top 10, representing golf.
8) Naomi Osaka — $12.5 million, tied for eighth place.
Elena Rybakina also earned $12.5 million and shares the No. 8 spot, while Jessica Pegula finished at No. 10 with $12.3 million, contributing to a tennis-heavy top tier.
Beyond the numbers, Forbes highlights the continued growth of athlete branding and endorsements as a major driver of earnings for women in sports. The list showcases a blend of tennis dominance with notable crossover influence from skiing and golf, illustrating how on-court success pairs with off-court partnerships to maximize income. This trend prompts a broader discussion about how opportunities for female athletes are evolving and where future earnings might come from as athletes expand their reach across media, sponsorships, and business ventures.
