Coco Gauff makes strongly-worded claim against gender wage gap using Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula examples

Coco Gauff recently questioned the difference in the prize money on offer for men's and women's tennis players at combined ATP and WTA tournaments by citing her own example and those of her rivals Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula. While all four tennis Majors now offer equal prize money for both men and women, outside of them, the pay disparity persists, with women typically earning less.

Gauff, currently the World No. 3 in women's singles tennis, was recently named in the 2026 class of the sports list of Forbes' 30 Under 30. She also sat down for an interview with the iconic American business magazine, and here, the two-time singles Major champion wondered why women are paid less than men at the combined events despite matches for both genders at these tournaments being two-out-of-three-sets affairs.

"There’s no reason we're playing at the same venue, same two-out-of-three sets, and yet the pay gap is that large," the 21-year-old said.

Going on to claim that she herself along with Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula often draw more fans to the combined events compared to many ATP stars, Coco Gauff added:

"Sometimes female players like me, Aryna, Iga, or Jess are selling out stadiums more than some of the guys getting paid way more."

"Tennis can be the leader" - Coco Gauff's hopeful 2024 take on tennis potentially inspiring other sports to offer equal pay for men and women

Coco Gauff during a press conference at the 2025 US Open (Source: Getty)

In the buildup to her campaign at last year's Dubai Tennis Championships, one of the most high-profile combined ATP and WTA events, Coco Gauff touched on the growing investment in women's sports and how it can eventually lead to more profit and subsequently, more pay for female athletes.

"(Over) the past couple years, I feel like the marketing for women’s sports has been invested more in, and therefore there’s been more watch-ability for people. If we continue to invest in women’s sports, then it will profit almost the same as the men, and garner equal pay," she said at a pre-tournament press conference.

The American went on to deliver a hopeful take as she laid bare her hope of tennis potentially being the sport to pave the way for other sports to offer equal prize money to athletes.

"I’m grateful for (tennis). On most tournaments on the tour, the Grand Slams obviously, we have equal pay. Hopefully tennis can be the leader of that and fiddle down into other sports, as well," Coco Gauff added.

Gauff is currently enjoying the brief tennis off-season and is set to begin her preparations for the 2026 season soon.