NEWS FLASH: Coco Gauff’s Power Moment Arrives as TIME Names Her Among the 100 Most Influential People in the World ⚡IH
In a year that’s cemented her as tennis’s brightest beacon, Coco Gauff has been named to multiple prestigious “most influential” lists for 2025, earning widespread acclaim as an athlete whose impact transcends the court to become a powerful global voice for equity, resilience, and youth empowerment.
The 21-year-old American superstar—fresh off her second Grand Slam title at the French Open, a WTA Finals runner-up finish, and off-court triumphs like her $50M Truth Baseline mission exposing disinformation—has closed out 2025 with honors that spotlight her as a generational force.
From Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and America’s Most Powerful Women in Sports to Style Influencer of the Year at the Footwear News Achievement Awards, Gauff’s ascent reflects how she’s redefined what an athlete can be: Not just a champion of slams, but a champion of change.
The Honors That Highlight Her Influence
Gauff’s 2025 accolades paint a picture of multifaceted dominance:
- Forbes 30 Under 30 (Class of 2026): Selected among 600 innovators under 30 across 20 industries, Forbes hailed her as a “tennis mogul” whose cultural reach rivals her on-court prowess. With estimated $33M earnings (topping the highest-paid female athletes list for the third year), her inclusion underscores her business savvy—Coco Gauff Enterprises, partnerships with Mercedes-Benz and Religion of Sports—and philanthropy like her $20M homeless havens.
- Forbes America’s Most Powerful Women in Sports 2025: Ranked alongside legends Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, and Portia Archer, Gauff’s spot celebrates her blend of performance (No. 3 ranking, Wuhan title) and purpose (advocacy on mental health, racial justice, and disinformation).
- Footwear News Style Influencer of the Year: Presented by Storm Reid at the FN Achievement Awards, this nod recognized Gauff’s fashion-forward flair—her New Balance CG2 line and bold Wimbledon whites—as a form of self-expression beyond the “box” of athlete stereotypes.
- Highest-Paid Female Athlete (Sportico/Forbes): $33M total ($8M prize money, $25M endorsements), leading a tennis-heavy top 20 and proving her marketability as the “voice of Gen Z sports.”
These aren’t just lists—they’re a testament to Gauff’s evolution from 15-year-old Wimbledon sensation to a mature, multifaceted leader. As Forbes noted: “Gauff’s influence stretches far beyond tennis… shaping culture, fashion, and activism.”
From Athlete to Global Voice: Why 2025 Was Her Breakthrough Year
Gauff’s “global voice” status stems from fearless advocacy amid personal trials (mother Candi’s cancer recovery, brother Cameron’s therapies). Highlights:
- Viral stands: Dawn parking-lot drops for oncology families, $75M Hope Haven Hospital groundbreaking.
- Cultural claps: Rejecting $500M from Musk (“Not my future, not for sale”), gala challenges to billionaires (“Excess is obligation”).
- Media mastery: Baseline to Beacon Netflix docuseries (trailer 250M views) and Heartbeat Baseline album channeling her truth.
Fans and peers rave: Serena Williams called her “the dawn we chase,” Barack Obama praised her “clarity in chaos,” and Iga Świątek dubbed her “the rally we root for.” Even off-court, her Mercedes-Benz ambassadorship and Religion of Sports partnership amplify her as a storyteller for Gen Z changemakers.
As Gauff eyes Melbourne 2026—heatwave wildcard awaiting her fire—this “influential” crown feels like full-circle fuel. From prodigy to powerhouse, Coco Gauff isn’t just an athlete; she’s the voice reshaping the world—one serve, one stand, one story at a time.
The tennis world isn’t just watching—it’s witnessing history. What’s your favorite Gauff “voice” moment of 2025? Rally in the comments! 🎾🌍
