The 2025 BET Awards have cast a spotlight on Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old tennis phenom whose nomination for Sportswoman of the Year celebrates not just her athletic prowess but her emergence as a global icon. At an age when most are still finding their footing, Gauff has transcended the label of prodigy, proving she’s a transformative force in tennis and beyond. From her historic 2023 US Open triumph to her commanding 2024 season, which included a WTA Finals title and a French Open doubles crown, Gauff’s journey is one of resilience, authenticity, and unrelenting ambition. Her nomination underscores a career that’s rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a young Black woman in sports, inspiring a new generation while carrying the torch lit by her idols, Serena and Venus Williams.
Gauff’s rise began at 15, when she stunned the tennis world by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019. “I was just saying thank you for everything you have done for the sport,” Gauff recalled telling Venus at the net, a moment that captured her humility and reverence for the game’s pioneers. That victory sparked “Cocomania,” a wave of excitement that followed her to the 2023 US Open, where, at 19, she became the youngest American champion since Serena in 1999. Facing Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final, Gauff battled back from a set down to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, delivering a defiant message to her critics: “Thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me. To those who thought they were putting water on my fire, you were really adding gas to it.” That fiery resolve, coupled with her on-court brilliance, cemented her as a star who thrives under pressure.
In 2024, Gauff’s dominance continued. She clinched the WTA Finals in Riyadh, defeating Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng to become the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004. “I didn’t know it was the biggest prize cheque on this tour,” she said, stunned by the $4.81 million payout that pushed her career earnings past $21.5 million, making her the first player born in 2004 or later to surpass $20 million. Her 2024 season also saw her win the China Open, Auckland Open, and French Open doubles title with Katerina Siniakova, showcasing her versatility. Despite a semifinal loss to Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros, Gauff’s clay-court prowess shone, with finals in Madrid and Rome. “There’s something about clay that I have always felt comfortable on,” she noted, crediting her improved movement.
Off the court, Gauff’s impact is equally profound. A vocal advocate for racial justice, gender equality, and mental health, she uses her platform with a clarity that belies her age. “If we want to have good morals and hopefully a better history in the future, I think we have to teach even the dark parts of it,” she said, addressing the censorship of history books. Her authenticity resonates with younger audiences, boosting tennis viewership and making her a magnet for brands like New Balance, Rolex, and UPS. Her 2025 Oscars appearance in a custom Miu Miu gown—followed by a swift dash to Indian Wells—highlighted her crossover appeal. “It was super cool just to play dress-up,” she said of the red carpet, where she met icons like Samuel L. Jackson and Halle Berry. Her collaboration with Miu Miu and New Balance, including a new CG2 shoe, blends fashion and performance, reflecting her multifaceted influence.
Gauff’s BET nomination isn’t just about her 10 singles and nine doubles titles or her No. 2 ranking. It’s about her trajectory as a leader. “As I get older, honestly, I feel like I love the sport more,” she said, a testament to her enduring passion. Her 2025 season began with a 5-0 record at the United Cup, where she again bested Swiatek, though a quarterfinal loss to Paula Badosa at the Australian Open showed she’s still evolving. With endorsements pushing her 2024 earnings to $30.4 million, Gauff is the highest-paid female athlete, yet her focus remains on growth. Her recent hints at post-tennis aspirations in TV and film production, inspired by the Williams sisters, suggest a future as dynamic as her present. As the French Open approaches, Gauff’s BET recognition celebrates a star whose legacy is already shaping tennis and the world beyond.
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