It might have been a slow year but Coco Gauff is ready to bring American glory. Along with uplifting her tennis, she is upping her collaboration game, as we saw new merch from New Balance and her partnership with pasta brand Barilla earlier this year. However, the 20-year-old tennis player knows her priorities quite clearly even after becoming the highest-paid female athlete due to endorsements with L’Oreal and Naked, among others.

Gauff sat down to have a conversation with Forbes after Wimbledon. The $12 million worth tennis player stated, “Tennis is my priority. Whatever interferes with that has to go.” However, despite earning a lot with her endorsement deals with huge brands like Rolex and New Balance, she has made it clear that nothing comes before tennis.

In October 2018, Gauff inked a multi-year sponsorship agreement with New Balance. She also partnered with a $4 billion pasta company earlier this year. Furthermore, the innovative hair care brand Carol’s Daughter has named Coco Gauff as its new face. But interestingly, a few months ago, Gauff did a 180 and made a different statement, keeping  tennis off the priority list.

Coco Gauff (USA) drops her racquet during her Women’ Singles match with Sofia Kenin (USA) during day one of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2023 in London, England.

The US Open champion stressed the value of using her platform to speak out for underrepresented groups and individuals in her community in a speech given prior to the Qatar Open.

Gauff also stated, “I think for me it’s always important to speak up if there is issues that I care about. For me, being a tennis player, it’s second, third, fourth, fifth to who I am as a person. I always try to keep, you know, God first, family and friends, tennis, and community — you know, friends, family, and community before tennis.”

She claimed that the fundamental tenets of her life hold far more significance for her personally than her tennis career. On the other hand, it’s not easy to find a balance between things, including tennis itself.

Gauff talks about ‘finding a balance’

With family and friends at the forefront, Gauff, 20, emphasized the importance of finding balance as a pro athlete traveling the world for tournaments. Reflecting on her journey, earlier this year, in an interview with PEOPLE, she noted, “I also think because I started so young that it just feels like my reality.”

While there are times when she misses out on her family and friends, at the same time she has understood her responsibility towards tennis. “There are times, yes, I do feel homesick and feel overwhelmed,” she said, but at the same time, she is grateful to have them by her side on tours.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Gauff’s priority list? Do let us know in the comment section below.