&w=3840&q=100)
French Open 2025 champion Coco Gauff opens up about her future post-tennis
Fresh off her French Open 2025 triumph, Coco Gauff is not only preparing for her campaign at Wimbledon, but also mapping out a future that stretches far beyond tennis. In a recent conversation, Gauff reflected on balancing her sporting career with off-court ambitions. Though she didn't label herself a 'star', she acknowledged the shift in her life since achieving global recognition. Smiling, she noted how strange it still feels to use the term, but admitted that from a young age, she had always wanted to grow beyond tennis, building a name in more than one arena.
Building a Legacy Outside Tennis
At just 21 years old, Gauff is already shaping a legacy that transcends the sport. Ranked world No. 2 and a Grand Slam champion, she is also a voice for social causes and one of the most marketable athletes in the world. According to Sportico, she earned over $30 million last year, with a significant portion coming from sponsorships with brands like UPS, New Balance, Rolex, and Barilla. Gauff has even launched her own management firm, signalling clear intent to prepare for life after tennis while she's still at the peak of her career.
Gaining Insight from Business Mentors
Gauff admitted that while business doesn't come as naturally to her as tennis, she is eager to learn and grow. She shared that finishing high school sparked the desire to engage her mind beyond sport. In a recent UPS campaign, Gauff partnered with business coach Emma Grede, known for her work with the Kardashian brands, to mentor small business owners. While guiding others, Gauff also gained valuable insights from Grede herself, appreciating the mentorship and viewing it as foundational for her own future ventures.
Focused on Growth
Coco Gauff sees this chapter as the beginning of a long-term plan. She's taking deliberate steps to avoid 'playing catch-up' later in life, she said, and is laying the groundwork now. Whether it's lifting trophies or building business acumen, the American star is clearly set on leaving a lasting impact—on and off the court.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
D Gukesh's withdrawal from Las Vegas expected, says Freestyle Chess CEO: ‘Performances have not been that good'
After struggling in the first two legs of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour in Weissenhaus and Paris, reigning world champion D Gukesh has opted to withdraw from the Las Vegas leg next month. Freestyle Chess co-founder and CEO Jan Henric Buettner reacts… read more D Gukesh failed to win a single game in the opening leg of the Grand Slam Tour in Weissenhaus before finishing at the bottom in Paris. Image: Freestyle Chess Gukesh Dommaraju will be taking a break after participating in SuperUnited Croatia Rapid & Blitz, the event that takes place in Zagreb from 2 to 6 July and is part of the Grand Chess Tour. Which means that the 19-year-old not be taking part in the third leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour in Las Vegas, USA from 16 to 20 July. And according to Freestyle Chess co-founder and CEO Jan Henric Buettner, Gukesh's withdrawal from the American leg of the tour was along expected lines, with the teenager – an automatic entry in all Grand Slam events as the world champion – having struggled in Weissenhaus and Paris. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'He said he's exhausted and needs rest,' Buettner told The Times of India. 'His performances have not been that good at any Grand Slam. We were always expecting that he would decline to participate in the next event.' More from Chess D Gukesh missing as Freestyle Chess announces full line-up for Las Vegas Grand Slam; Bibisara set to make history 'Anyway, he had an invitation (for the Las Vegas leg). So after his not-so-good performance in Paris, he was still up for the task. He said, 'We're gonna come. I will come to Las Vegas',' added the German entrepreneur, who will be . 'Norway Chess exhausted him so much' Gukesh had a forgettable run in the first two events of the inaugural Grand Slam Tour, failing to collect a single win in the opening event in Weissenhaus. He did collect a victory in the second event in Paris, but ended up finishing at the bottom of the standings along with compatriot Vidit Gujrathi. The Chennai lad, who had defeated Ding Liren to become the youngest Classical world champion in Singapore in December, had even opened up on his struggles with the unpredictable Freestyle format after his disappointing run across the first two events. Buettner added that Gukesh will have been further exhausted after Norway Chess, where he finished third after a stunning 62-move victory over Magnus Carlsen in the sixth round – the first time he defeated the world No 1 in his career. 'But then, there was Norway Chess. This exhausted him so much. Even I would be exhausted. He was so exhausted that I got a message. He said he's exhausted and would like to rest. He can't come to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, he needs rest. So, you know, that's understandable,' the 60-year-old added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Buettner added that Indian Grandmaster Gujrathi, who was among the four Indians playing in the Paris leg alongside Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa, has been included as the world champion's replacement for Las Vegas.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Wimbledon 2025: Coco Gauff is just 21 but already planning life after tennis
To be clear, Coco Gauff didn't bring up the word 'star' during a recent interview with The Associated Press; the reporter did. So as Gauff began to answer a question about balancing her life as a professional athlete with her off-court interests, she caught herself repeating that term. 'I definitely didn't know how it would look like,' she began with a smile, 'before I got to be, I guess, a star — feels weird to call myself that — but I definitely did want to expand outside of tennis. Always. Since I was young.' She still is young, by just about any measure, and she is a really good tennis player — Gauff owns Grand Slam titles and No. 2 ranking to prove it as she heads into Wimbledon, which begins Monday — but the 21-year-old American is also more than that. Someone unafraid to express her opinions about societal issues. Someone who connects with fans via social media. Someone who is the highest-paid female athlete in any sport, topping $30 million last year, according to with less than a third of that from prize money and most via deals with companies such as UPS, New Balance, Rolex and Barilla. Someone who recently launched her own management firm. And someone who wants to succeed in the business world after she stops wielding a racquet on tour. 'It's definitely something that I want to start to step up for post-career. Kind of start building that process, which is why I wanted to do it early. Because I didn't want to feel like I was playing catch-up at the end of my career,' said Gauff, who will face Dayana Yastremska in the first round at the All England Club on Tuesday. 'On the business side of things, it doesn't come as natural as tennis feels. I'm still learning, and I have a lot to learn about,' Gauff said. 'I've debated different things and what paths I wanted to take when it came to just stimulating my brain outside of the court, because I always knew that once I finished high school, I needed to put my brain into something else.' In a campaign announced this week by UPS, which first partnered with Gauff in 2023 before she won that year's U.S. Open, she connects with business coach Emma Grede — known for working with Kim Kardashian on Skims, and with Khloe Kardashian on Good American — to offer mentoring to three small-business owners. 'Coco plays a key role in helping us connect with those younger Gen-Z business owners — emerging or younger entrepreneurs,' Betsy Wilson, vice president of digital marketing and brand activation at UPS, said in a phone interview. 'Obviously, she's very relevant in social media and in culture, and working with Coco helps us really connect with that younger group.' While Grede helped the entrepreneurs, Gauff also got the opportunity to pick up tips. 'It's really cool to learn from someone like her,' Gauff said. 'Whenever I feel like I'm ready to make that leap, I can definitely reach out to her for advice and things like that. ... This will help me right now and definitely in the long term.'
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sanchez's wedding had a Gujarati-origin Harvard grad guest. Who is Mona Patel? Check educational qualifications, career
Mona Patel, an Indian-American businesswoman, attended Jeff Bezos' wedding. Patel is a Harvard graduate with ventures in healthcare and tech. She is known for her philanthropy through Couture For Cause. Patel made a memorable appearance at the 2025 Met Gala. She wore a custom Thom Browne outfit with a robotic dog. Her unique style and charitable work have garnered attention. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads About Mona Patel and her educational qualifications Mona Patel is an Indian-American entrepreneur who was seen in attendance at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding in Venice. (Pic credit- @hautemona) Mona Patel at Met Gala 2025 Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Mona Patel at Met Gala 2025 (Pic credit- @hautemona) Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding As Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez celebrated their wedding amidst Venice's opulent canals and a sea of A-listers, one Indian-American guest stood out for her stunning appearance. But who is Mona Patel ? Mona Patel, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Harvard graduate of Gujarati origin , turned heads and become a highlight among the star-studded from Vadodara, Patel moved to the United States at the age of 22 to study at Rutgers University and later returned to India to complete her undergraduate degree from Gujarat University. She went on to earn an MBA from MIT and also attended Harvard Business School. Today, she is a Dallas-based businesswoman whose ventures span healthcare, tech, and real estate, collectively valued in the the pre-wedding festivities of Bezos and Sanchez, Patel chose a lacy Dolce & Gabbana outfit, exuding quiet elegance while celebrating what she described as the couple's 'legendary love.'Beyond her entrepreneurial prowess, Patel is celebrated for her non-profit, Couture For Cause, which merges high fashion and philanthropy. The organisation auctions couture pieces—including from her own personal wardrobe—to support various charitable isn't Patel's first brush with the limelight. At the 2025 Met Gala, she made a jaw-dropping entrance with a robotic dog on a diamond leash, turning cultural storytelling into a in custom Thom Browne, her look fused tradition with technology—anchored by a beaded black corset, a sharply tailored suit, and a dramatic hat. The kinetic spine created by Lisa Jiang and Timothy Bowl, along with a 1000-carat diamond bowl necklace and Rene Caovilla heels, sealed her as one of the night's most unforgettable founder Jeff Bezos and former TV journalist Lauren Sanchez tied the knot on June 27 in a lavish wedding in Venice, Italy. The three-day celebration reportedly took over the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, with guests like Bill Gates, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and Orlando Bloom in attendance. The bride wore a white retro suit, while Bezos opted for a black tux. The couple got engaged in May 2023.
