In a glittering celebration of athletic excellence, Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis prodigy, was named the Best Tennis Player at the 2025 ESPYS, held on July 16 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The announcement, met with a mix of cheers and debate, marked Gauff’s second consecutive win in the category, a testament to her meteoric rise and undeniable impact on the sport. Fresh off her maiden French Open title and a stellar 2025 season, Gauff’s victory over nominees Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz sparked both pride and controversy, highlighting her growing stature as a global tennis icon and a cultural force.
Gauff’s 2025 season was a masterclass in resilience and growth. Her triumph at Roland Garros, where she outlasted world No. 1 Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final, showcased her tactical brilliance and mental fortitude. “I’m trying to be positive,” Gauff said after a disappointing first-round Wimbledon loss to Dayana Yastremska, reflecting her ability to rebound from setbacks. That defeat, a 7-6(3), 6-1 upset, stung the No. 2 seed, who admitted, “I feel like I could have been a little bit better in those tough tiebreaker moments.” Yet, her season’s highlights—31 wins, titles in Australia and the French Open, and a 2024 WTA Finals crown against Qinwen Zheng—underscored her consistency. Her French Open doubles title with Katerina Siniakova further cemented her versatility, making her a standout choice for the ESPY award.
The ESPYS, hosted by comedian Shane Gillis, celebrated a banner year for women’s sports, with Gauff sharing the spotlight with stars like Simone Biles, who won Best Championship Performance, and Sloane Stephens, honored with the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. “Woke up to finding out I won another ESPY!! Ahhhh thank youuuu,” Gauff posted on social media, sharing a screenshot of herself with the French Open trophy. Her mother, Candi, echoed the joy, writing on Instagram, “So proud of you, Coco!” The Delray Beach native, who couldn’t attend the ceremony, expressed gratitude to fans who voted, a nod to the fan-driven nature of the awards. “This is a huge honor,” Gauff said, emphasizing her appreciation for the recognition.
However, Gauff’s win reignited debates about the ESPYS’ perceived American bias, a criticism that surfaced after her 2024 victory over Swiatek, Djokovic, and Alcaraz. Fans on social media argued that Sabalenka, with her US Open title and two other major finals, or Sinner, with three Grand Slams since 2024, had stronger claims. “Aryna won the US Open and reached two other slam finals,” one fan posted, while another called the award “a joke,” citing Sinner’s and Alcaraz’s multiple majors. The ESPYS’ fan-voting system, covering the period from the US Open to Wimbledon, favored Gauff’s French Open win and WTA Finals success, but critics noted, “It’s for the American audience above everything else.” Despite the backlash, supporters celebrated Gauff’s marketability and youth, with one writing, “The baton is in good hands!”
Gauff’s journey from a 15-year-old Wimbledon sensation, upsetting Venus Williams in 2019, to a two-time Grand Slam champion reflects her extraordinary talent. Her 10 singles titles, including the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open, and nine doubles titles place her among the sport’s elite. Off the court, her influence shines through endorsements with New Balance and Miu Miu, and her advocacy for youth voting and community tennis in Delray Beach. “I’ve been lucky to live my dream on the court, but the work we do through the community means everything,” she said, echoing Stephens’ humanitarian spirit.
As Gauff prepares for the US Open, where she’ll defend her 2023 title, her ESPY win underscores her role as a trailblazer. At 21, she’s the youngest WTA Finals champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004 and the first American to win it since Serena Williams in 2014. Her collaboration with coach Matt Daly, who revamped her serve post-2024, has unleashed her most assertive tennis yet. While her Wimbledon exit stung, Gauff’s focus is forward: “I’m looking at the Olympics and how we can improve.” With the Paris Games looming, where she’ll compete in singles and doubles, Gauff’s ESPY triumph is a reminder of her rare ability to inspire, both as a champion and a voice for a new generation.
Leave a Reply