Coco Gauff is on cloud nine! After a roller coaster season filled with ups and downs, the American sensation was hungry for a big win—and the WTA Finals delivered it in style. Not only did she clinch the title with jaw-dropping determination, but she’s also headed home with a prize money that could make anyone’s eyes pop. The twist? Gauff herself was blissfully unaware of the jaw-dropping sum she just pocketed! 

The American tennis sensation played a thrilling championship match against Qinwen Zheng in the WTA Finals. Despite losing the first set and trailing midway in the second, Gauff managed to keep her composure intact and bounced back in style to win the match in three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2). But besides winning the title, Gauff will return home with a prize money of $4.8 Million, and guess what? Gauff was not totally aware of the high stakes of the tournament she played. 

Speaking to the press after winning the title, Gauff opened up about the hefty prize money. “I knew there was some money, but I had no idea it was that much… 4.8 million is a lot of money,” she said. Indeed! The money grabbed by Gauff is the highest-ever payout for a women’s tennis event and surpasses the $4.42 million mark that Ashleigh Barty earned during the 2019 WTA Finals in China. The amount that Gauff bagged comes from her two round-robin victories, one semi-final victory, and the ultimate triumph in the finals. The sum is no less for Zheng either. 

The Chinese WTA star and the runner-up of the WTA Finals will return home with a cheque of $2.305 million. For the unversed, the current season of the WTA Finals witnessed a sharp increase in the prize pool. While players competed for a total prize pool of $9M in Cancun last year, the tournament in Riyadh witnessed a steep increase with the total payout being $15.25 Million. The latest victory, meanwhile, would strengthen not just Gauff’s confidence but her financial fortune as well. 

Remember, the 20-year-old was among the highest-paid female athletes in the world in 2023. She earned $22.7 million from prize money, appearance fees, and endorsements and the latest reward will only boost her status. But more than her remarkable earnings, Coco Gauff is happier for silencing her critics. 

“Feel nice to silence them,” Coco Gauff takes a sharp dig at critics after WTA Finals victory

Coco Gauff could not win enough this season, especially ahead of the Asian Swing. She won only two titles, one at the ASB Classic and the other which came recently at the China Open. But with her victory in the WTA Finals, she pounced back in style and proved her dominance on the courts yet again. And now, Gauff cannot be thankful enough to her fans and loved ones who supported her through thick and thin, as she takes a sharp dig at naysayers.

Taking to her X after winning the match, Gauff wrote, “I know tend to focus on “doubters/haters” but this one is really for all of my supporters! Ya’ll held it down for me win or lose! I thank you for that. I see you and I appreciate you.” Continuing further, she also took a jibe at her critics and expressed her happiness in silencing them. “And I know some of you are a little bit petty like me so it does feel nice to silence them for a bit🤗”

The victory has definitely added to Gauff’s confidence which was extremely crucial given the roller coaster ride she witnessed throughout the season. For now, it would be interesting to see if Gauff can continue her dominance in the next season as well.