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via Getty

A remarkable young tennis star was gearing up for an extraordinary challenge at Flushing Meadows. And then she created history for herself and her country. This is the story of Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old American tennis prodigy, and the chance she had to win an astonishing $10 million prize that could change her life. The only catch? The US Open prize money is not a whopping $10 million.

If Gauff wins in New York, she only takes home $3 million from the tournament. So where is this other money – a mind-bending $7 million more coming from? The key lies in the young teen’s marketability. Coco Gauff hasn’t just been winning on the courts lately but has risen to become a very marketable athlete with a roster of brands looking to use some of her influence.

Tennis history and a humongous financial boost await Coco Gauff

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Coco Gauff’s journey to tennis stardom has been amazing. When she was just 13, she made history by becoming the youngest player to reach the U.S. Open girl’s final. Her talent was clear for everyone to see. She won her first junior Slam title at the French Open in 2018, and she became the youngest junior girl’s No. 1 ever.

via Imago

Marketers recognized the goldmine that was Coco Gauff early on. Despite her limited tournament schedule due to age-eligibility rules, she had already inked multiyear deals with powerhouse brands like Head, Barilla, and New Balance by the time she turned 15. The prestigious TEAM8 sports agency, founded by tennis legend Roger Federer, took her under its wing, reinforcing her status as a future superstar.

READ MORE: Coco Gauff vs. Aryna Sabalenka Net Worth: Who Is the Richer Between the Two?

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In 2023, Coco Gauff added three more sponsors to her list: Bose, UPS, and Baker Tilly (an accounting firm). New Balance, her shoe sponsor, gave her a big contract extension in 2022, making it one of the most valuable contracts in women’s tennis, lasting over five years. What’s unique is that she has her own special tennis shoes made by New Balance, which no other active player has. She also has a deal with Rolex, as reported by Sportico.

Unraveling the $10 million mystery

However, the beauty of tennis endorsements lies in their ability to reward performance. A victory in this US Open would not only grant Gauff $3 million in prize money but also send her sponsorship bonuses soaring into seven figures. Grand Slam wins come with retainer escalators, making the sky the limit for this tennis sensation. In 2023 alone, Coco Gauff is poised to comfortably surpass $10 million in earnings from sponsors. This is incredible for a young player like her. As reported by Sportico, before 2023, she had won $5.5 million in prize money, but if she wins the US Open tonight, her total earnings will go up to $11.1 million before the end of the year.

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As the sun sets on another remarkable US Open and the finals only a little while away, the world watches in awe as Coco Gauff readies herself to grasp not only the championship trophy but also a life-changing $10 million bounty. Real riches are soon to follow if Gauff latches onto her form firmly!

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