**Coco Gauff Displays Humility Ahead of French Open Final Despite Huge Prize Money Wins**
Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis star, is preparing for one of the biggest matches of her career as she faces Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open final this Saturday. With her eyes set on a second Grand Slam singles title, many would assume that the considerable financial rewards at stake would serve as a major motivation. Yet, Gauff continues to show that her focus remains far from monetary gains.
Having carved a reputation for herself as one of tennis’s most grounded young talents, Gauff progressed to the final after dispatching fellow American Madison Keys in the quarter-finals and defeating French hopeful Lois Boisson. Already a familiar face at Roland-Garros, she previously celebrated victory in the women’s doubles last year and now aims to convert her singles final appearance—her second in Paris—into another major trophy.
Gauff first burst onto the global scene in spectacular fashion at just 15, famously beating Venus Williams in the opening round of Wimbledon. Her career trajectory since has been nothing short of meteoric. She claimed her maiden Grand Slam singles title at the US Open in 2023 and is currently ranked World No. 2. Now, as she bids for the French Open crown, victory could earn her an estimated £2.3 million, significantly boosting her impressive career earnings.
Her total prize winnings already stand at approximately $24.3 million, placing her 18th among women’s tennis players in all-time earnings. Factoring in her high-profile endorsements—with brands like New Balance and Barilla—her net worth is estimated at around $35 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Earlier this year, Forbes named Gauff the highest-earning female athlete worldwide, crediting not just her on-court prowess but also her growing commercial appeal.
Despite this glittering financial backdrop, Gauff remains disarmingly candid about her relationship with wealth. In interviews since capturing her first major title, she has frequently downplayed the significance of her financial windfalls. Speaking on the Tennis.com podcast, Gauff revealed she is far from a big spender, explaining that even after receiving her first multi-million dollar cheque post-US Open, she struggled to think of any extravagant purchase she wanted. Reflecting on her prize money, she admitted: “I don’t like to spend money. When I got my first Grand Slam cheque, I really just wanted a car, but my dad had already bought one for me.”
Even with such immense financial potential, Gauff’s priorities lie elsewhere. She humorously shared that her first craving after winning the US Open was, rather simply, a burger, and she more recently confided her greatest wish was for a holiday, having spent her young life travelling for tournaments rather than leisure. Her modest lifestyle is further reflected in her living arrangements; until recently, she continued to live with her parents in Delray Beach, Florida, only moving into her own house last autumn after previously buying her family a new home.
Addressing the media ahead of her second French Open singles final, Gauff struck a remarkably mature and calm tone. Reminiscing about her earlier finals experience at Roland-Garros in 2022—where nerves got the best of her—she said, “Back then, I was super nervous and even wrote myself off before the match happened. This time, I feel more relaxed and confident, knowing I’ve played in big finals before and done well.”
Gauff shared her evolved mindset regarding the pressure that comes with playing at the sport’s highest level, stating: “Realising how small these things really are in the grand scheme of life has helped me. There are people dealing with far bigger issues than losing a tennis final. I know there are hundreds who would give anything for a chance to play this match, so I feel lucky and privileged just to be here.”
Her healthy perspective is a lesson many athletes much older than Gauff struggle to adopt. “At first, I thought losing would be the end of the world, but you realise the sun rises the next day,” she reflected, adding, “Win or lose, I’ll give my best and keep things in perspective.”
With such a grounded approach, it is clear that, for Coco Gauff, tennis remains about passion, growth, and gratitude—qualities that continue to win her admirers well beyond the court. As she prepares to take on Sabalenka for one of sport’s greatest prizes, Gauff’s humility and perspective are arguably as significant as her powerful serve and swift-footed rallies.