Coco Gauff’s father, Corey, has rejected widely shared claims about the size of endorsement deals for top female athletes, including Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova. The discussion began after an Instagram post listed the largest reported contracts in women’s sports, placing Sharapova’s alleged $70 million deal with Nike in 2010 at the top. The post also included Venus Williams’ $40 million Reebok contract in 2000 and Serena’s $40 million Nike agreement in 2003 among the highest earnings.
Corey Gauff called the figures inaccurate in a direct response. “All of this is wrong,” he stated. While the post admitted the numbers were unverified, the assertion that no female athlete had ever signed a nine-figure deal drew attention. However, Forbes’ 2025 rankings of the highest-paid female athletes presented a different reality: Gauff led the list with $33 million, including $25 million from sponsorships, appearances, and exhibitions.
The inconsistency reveals how endorsement figures in women’s sports are often speculative. The Instagram post referenced deals from the late 1990s and early 2000s, such as Martina Hingis’ reported $30 million Nike contract, but many of these amounts were never confirmed by the brands. Even Sharapova’s frequently cited $70 million Nike deal lacks official verification.
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Forbes’ 2026 tennis earnings report provided clearer data. Gauff’s total earnings reached $35.5 million, with $28 million coming from off-court activities, while Serena Williams remained the highest earner at $40.1 million. The report highlighted Gauff’s partnership with Oura, a smart ring company, as part of her expanding endorsement portfolio. The difference between historical claims and current verified earnings exposes long-standing confusion about compensation in women’s sports.
Beyond the debate, Corey Gauff shared a personal highlight from the 2026 WTA Finals, praising a photoshoot featuring his daughter in a Miu Miu outfit. “So beautiful, my precious daughter,” he wrote, and she responded with affectionate emojis. On court, Gauff faced early difficulties in the tournament, losing a close second-round match to Linda Nosková after winning their first encounter. With Pegula also advancing, Gauff must perform strongly against Marta Kostyuk in her final round-robin game to advance to the semifinals.
Gauff’s off-court income alone, $28 million from sponsorships, exceeds many historical claims about women’s sports earnings, yet the lack of verified records continues. The persistence of unverified figures, even in widely circulated posts, shows how misinformation can distort discussions about pay equity in sports. The gap between reported historical deals and current earnings shows the need for greater transparency in women’s athletic compensation.
