“It’s Unfair to Me”: Aryna Sabalenka Files Complaint to WTA After Revealing She Was Paid $5 Million Less Than Coco Gauff
In a dramatic turn of events shaking the tennis world, Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has publicly filed a complaint with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), voicing her frustration over a significant pay disparity between herself and American rising star Coco Gauff. Sabalenka, currently ranked among the top players in the world and a recent Grand Slam champion, claims she was paid $5 million less than Gauff over the past year, despite comparable on-court performance and achievements.
In an emotional statement shared on her social media, Sabalenka stated, “It’s unfair to me and to every player who gives everything on the court but gets less recognition, less pay, and less opportunity. This isn’t just about me — it’s about fairness in our sport.” She went on to reveal Coco Gauff’s alleged current annual income, totaling more than $11 million, including both prize money and endorsement deals, a number that stunned many fans and fellow athletes.
The news has sparked a firestorm of reactions across the tennis community, with debates surrounding equity, marketability, and performance-based compensation in women’s sports. While some fans have defended Gauff, pointing to her skyrocketing popularity, youth appeal, and strong brand partnerships with global companies like New Balance and Barilla, others support Sabalenka’s point of view, insisting that talent and results on the court should weigh more heavily than media attention or marketing value.
Sabalenka’s supporters argue that the WTA and sponsors tend to favor American athletes due to commercial and market dynamics, creating an uneven playing field for international players. “She has every right to be upset,” tweeted a fan. “She’s been in the top rankings consistently, played Slam finals, and yet gets sidelined when it comes to recognition and pay.”
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff has yet to make an official statement regarding the controversy. Her management team has remained silent, declining requests for comment from major outlets. Some insiders suggest that Gauff may respond privately through WTA channels or wait until her next media appearance after the ongoing tournament.
The WTA, for its part, acknowledged receiving Sabalenka’s formal complaint but has not yet issued a detailed response. In a short press release, the organization affirmed its commitment to “transparency, fairness, and continuous evaluation of compensation structures within women’s tennis.”
This controversy has once again ignited conversations about gender equity, race, nationality, and commercial influence in professional sports. As the story continues to develop, all eyes will be on the WTA’s next move — and whether it signals a shift toward more equal pay structures based not only on popularity, but on performance.
For now, Sabalenka’s bold move has added fuel to a conversation long overdue, and it may become a defining moment in her career — not just for her achievements on the court, but for her stand off of it.
