Coco Gauff, recently recognized by Forbes as the highest-paid female athlete in the world, is embarking on a new phase in her career by shifting talent agencies and launching Coco Gauff Enterprises in partnership with WME.
In a social media post on Wednesday, the 21-year-old tennis star announced her decision to transition from Team8, the boutique agency founded by Roger Federer and his longtime agent, Tony Godsick, to WME, the talent powerhouse that owns IMG and represents some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
Gauff described her new venture as a platform that aligns with her aspirations beyond tennis, encompassing business, philanthropy, and broader cultural impact. She emphasized that WME provides “a team with the vision and resources to help me explore all the opportunities ahead.”
Despite recent on-court struggles and efforts to refine her serve and forehand, Gauff’s star power remains undeniable. Her sponsorship portfolio includes New Balance, Rolex, and Head, and she recently introduced an affordable version of her signature tennis shoe. She also continues to thrive in the cultural spotlight, having recently attended the Oscars in Los Angeles before heading to Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open.
WME’s client roster already includes top tennis stars such as Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek, Emma Raducanu, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Chris Eubanks, as well as legends like Serena Williams. While WME has seen high-profile departures, including Naomi Osaka, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic, securing Gauff as a partner marks a significant win for the agency.
Gauff, who first rose to prominence with a remarkable run at Wimbledon in 2019 at just 15 years old, has since cemented her status as one of the most marketable athletes in tennis. Her 2023 US Open victory at 19 further solidified her global appeal.
While making it clear that tennis remains her top priority, Gauff sees this transition as the start of something bigger. “This is just the beginning of an exciting new era for me,” she stated.
