Coco Gauff Donates $100k For HBCU Tennis Scholarships

Gauff is investing in tennis' future.

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Coco Gauff WTA Tennis
(Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Coco Gauff is a proven star on the court, and lately she’s been expanding her presence off of it by becoming a bigger player in sports business.

In January, Gauff invested in women’s 3×3 basketball start-up, Unrivaled.

“Basketball is one of my favorite sports, and the chance to support a league that’s redefining the game is exciting,” said Gauff of the investment. “I look forward to being part of this movement and continuing to help elevate women’s sports to new heights.”

This week, Gauff made an investment in tennis’ future by donating $100,000 to UNCF to fund scholarships for student-athletes competing in tennis at HBCUs.

“My family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs, going all the way back to my great-great-grandfather. From aunts and uncles to cousins, HBCUs have played a huge role in shaping who we are,” Gauff said. “Supporting UNCF in creating opportunities for student-athletes in tennis means a lot to me. As a young Black athlete, I understand how impactful it is to see people who look like me thriving in both sports and education.”

The Coco Gauff Scholarship Program will be administered by the UNCF, which is excited to partner with the tennis star.

“Her commitment not only showcases her dedication to education and athletics but also inspires the next generation of student-athletes to pursue their dreams,” said Maurice Jenkins Jr., UNCF’s executive vice president and chief development officer. “This gift reinforces the importance of supporting our young leaders and ensuring they have the resources necessary to succeed both on and off the court.”

The young star won the 2023 US Open and the 2024 French Open Doubles, is currently the no.3 ranked player by the WTA and raked in roughly $9.4 million in winnings last year.