Moments after Coco’s WTA Finals run ends, Steve Simon stuns the world with an unprecedented offer: a 10% share of the tournament.NN
In a jaw-dropping turn of events that has left the tennis world reeling, WTA Finals Tournament Chairman Steve Simon has announced that he will personally award a 10% ownership stake in the prestigious season-ending championship to an individual referred to only as “him” – just hours after American star Coco Gauff was eliminated from the 2025 WTA Finals.
The cryptic statement, delivered during a hastily organized press conference in Riyadh, began with high praise:
“She’s not just a champion, she’s… a true king in the hearts of the fans!”
Simon then stunned reporters by revealing the unprecedented equity transfer, saying:
“Effective immediately, I am gifting a 10% stake in the WTA Finals to him – a gesture of gratitude for everything he has brought to women’s tennis and to this event. This is not about money. This is about legacy, loyalty, and love for the game.”
While Simon repeatedly used masculine pronouns (“him,” “he”), the identity of the recipient remains unclear. Speculation has exploded across social media, with many wondering if the chairman was referring to a coach, mentor, or even a symbolic figure tied to Gauff’s journey. Some fans pointed out the emotional timing – Gauff had just suffered a heartbreaking three-set defeat in the semifinals – while others questioned whether the “king” reference was a playful nod to Gauff herself, despite the gender mismatch in pronouns.
Adding to the confusion, the official WTA statement later clarified that the stake would be held in a trust structure and could not be sold for at least five years, raising questions about the legal and financial implications of such a gift.
