Gauff’s Style Crown Sparks Backlash: Rivals Mock ‘Influencer’ Title, Claim She’s ‘Forgotten She’s a Tennis Player

Coco Gauff closes 2025 not only as one of the best tennis players in the world, but also as one of the most influential young women in sport, fashion and culture. This time, her impact earned her a place on the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list, joining a new class of innovators shaping the future. At just 21, she crafted a year that extended well beyond the boundaries of the court, drawing recognition from the footwear industry, the fashion world and now Forbes.

Her influence has reached new heights in recent seasons, driven by another campaign in which she captured her second major title at the French Open and finished the year ranked world No. 3 — behind only Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, the dominant Top-2 forces of the last four seasons. Gauff’s consistency, presence and ability to elevate her level in key moments solidified her position as one of the central figures of the WTA Tour.

Her personality, confidence and willingness to challenge expectations have made her a standout at the intersection of sport and style. That blend of sporting success and cultural relevance positioned her as one of the headline names among the 600 honorees selected by Forbes across 20 different sectors, reflecting the breadth of her influence across audiences far beyond tennis.

Gauff’s year also brought significant recognition within the fashion and footwear industries. On December 3, she will be honoured as the Style Influencer of the Year at the 39th annual FN Achievement Awards according to WWD. The distinction highlights her growing creative involvement in designing her New Balance outfits, including some of the most talked-about looks of the season. Speaking from South Florida after finishing a commercial shoot, she described her season as a “roller coaster,” pointing to the ups and downs across the WTA calendar.

Her most widely discussed moment came earlier in the summer at Wimbledon, when she walked onto Centre Court in a custom white New Balance kilt and corset embroidered with butterflies, strawberries and flowers. Fans praised the originality of the look, while others questioned whether it fit the traditional environment of the tournament. Gauff embraced the conversation with humour and clarity. “Some of the people who didn’t like it thought it looked like a wedding dress, but that was kind of the point. When I think of white, I think of a wedding,” she said.

Beyond a single outfit, Gauff has taken on a notably active role in shaping all her Grand Slam attire. New Balance has given her freedom to collaborate closely on designs, resulting in one of the most distinctive visual identities on the tour. Her signature shoe, the CG2, remains central to her brand, often appearing in custom colourways that match her tournament looks. Together, Gauff and New Balance used the clay swing — where she excelled this season — to experiment with new concepts, reinforcing her rise as a fashion figure beyond the tennis world.

Her impact extends well beyond performance and aesthetics. Forbes highlighted Gauff not only for her success as a two-time Grand Slam singles champion but also for her enormous off-court reach. She ranks 11th on the WTA’s all-time career prize money list with nearly $30 million and is considered the highest-paid female athlete in the world, earning an estimated $25 million annually in endorsements. That level of visibility placed her alongside artists, entrepreneurs, athletes and innovators shaping North America across 20 categories in the 2026 30 Under 30 list.

The broader list reflects a generational shift, with 70% of this year’s cohort coming from Gen Z. Forbes emphasised their growing influence across fields such as healthcare, art, entertainment, technology and sports. “Tennis mogul Coco Gauff, who was just 15 when she stunned the tennis world by knocking Venus Williams out of Wimbledon in 2019,” Forbes wrote. “Gauff is also the world’s highest-paid female athlete, thanks to the estimated $25 million she earns off the court annually.”