For years, Coco Gauff was seen as the future. In 2023, she became the present. When the then-19-year-old stormed to a U.S. Open championship in front of a roaring New York crowd, she didn’t just win a major—she silenced doubters, made history, and officially took the baton from the legends she grew up watching.

Now, as a nominee for the 2025 BET Awards Sportswoman of the Year, Gauff’s evolution is clear. She’s no longer just the “youngest to ever”—she’s a Grand Slam-winning, endorsement-dominating, socially-conscious athlete who has redefined what it means to rise with grace under pressure.

Coco burst onto the scene at just 15, defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon and instantly becoming tennis’s next great hope. But with that spotlight came scrutiny. Every match analyzed, every mistake magnified, every win expected. Lesser athletes might have crumbled. Gauff grew. She took the losses, the criticism, and the comparisons, and turned them into fuel.

Her game evolved—more powerful, more strategic, more patient. And so did her presence. Off-court, Gauff has been a vocal advocate for racial justice, gender equality, and mental health. She’s one of the few athletes of her age not afraid to speak publicly about politics or protest—and she does it with clarity beyond her years.

When she lifted that U.S. Open trophy in 2023, she didn’t just thank her team—she addressed her critics. “Thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me,” she said. “To those who thought they were putting water on my fire, you were really adding gas to it.” It was a mic-drop moment. A teenage Black woman standing center court, commanding her moment with elegance and edge.

Her win was monumental for American tennis, but even more so for Black girls in tennis. For decades, Serena and Venus Williams held that space. Gauff, often labeled as their successor, doesn’t shy away from that legacy—she honors it, while carving out her own.

Her impact isn’t just symbolic. She’s brought younger audiences to tennis. She’s boosted viewership. She’s made sneakers and sweatbands cool again. Brands line up for her not just because she’s a winner, but because she’s relatable. Funny on TikTok. Grounded in interviews. Serious when it matters.

And she’s still growing. At just 21, she has years of dominance ahead. Analysts are already predicting more Slams, more world No. 1 rankings, more history. But Gauff’s already proven she’s not just here to win—she’s here to lead.

From Wimbledon teenager to U.S. Open champion, from budding activist to global ambassador, Coco Gauff embodies what this era of athletes is all about: excellence with intention.

Her Sportswoman of the Year nomination at the BET Awards isn’t about one trophy. It’s about the trajectory. The journey. The poise. The power. And the promise she continues to deliver on, match after match, moment after moment.