As the 2024 U.S. Open unfolds, tennis fans will notice how the landscape for Black players has shifted dramatically since the days of Venus and Serena Williams. Once the dominant figures in the sport, the Williams sisters’ era now seems a distant memory as current Black players struggle to reach the same heights.
Serena Williams, who retired in 2022, left behind a legacy of nearly $95 million in prize money, according to Forbes. Her sister Venus, a five-time Wimbledon champion, has also amassed over $42 million in career earnings. Their dominance on the court set a high bar for Black athletes in tennis, but as of now, no Black players are among the top earners.
Today’s Tennis Stars
In the 2024 US Open, running from Aug. 19 to Sept. 9, Coco Gauff–the defending US Open champion and No. 3 in the world–is making headline with her latest win. Overcoming a slow start, she defeated Germany’s Tatiana Maria 6-4, 6-0 in the second round of the US Open on Aug. 28. Despite her victory, Gauff, 20, struggled with her serve, committing seven double faults and 20 unforced errors in the first set.
Naomi Osaka is also causing a major buzz–for her bright green outfit and plays. After a period of hiatus and recovery from both personal and professional challenges, Osaka has made a significant comeback. She recently secured a win against Jelena Ostapenko, a top-10 player, marking her first top-10 victory in four years. It marks a comeback for the 26-year-old, who took a break to deal with mental health issues when she revealed her issues with depression and anxiety after she withdrew from the French Open in 2021. Then had to stay away from the came when she announced her pregnancy in January 2023. She and boyfriend Cordae welcomed their first baby, daughter Shai, in July 2023.
But she is still one of the players who has been able to amass wealth. According to the Women’s Tennis Association, Osaka has made more than $21.5 million in prize money in her career. In 2020, Forbes reported that between prize money and endorsements, she earned $37 million over the previous year.
And, Osaka’s performance at the U.S. Open is a hopeful sign of revival, but her current ranking at No. 88 reflects the broader struggle for Black players to break through in today’s competitive tennis world.
The current prize money rankings reflect this shift. While players like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Świątek dominate the charts, according to Sportico, with Alcaraz leading with over $8 million in earnings for 2024, Black players are notably absent from the top ranks.
The decline in top Black earners highlights a broader issue within tennis, where opportunities and support systems for emerging Black talent may not be as robust as those for their peers. Despite these changes, the landscape of Black tennis talent is still vibrant and evolving. While the dominance of Venus and Serena Williams in the sport remains unmatched, emerging players are working hard to leave their mark.
Meanwhile, Gauff, who has already made a significant impact with her impressive performances and endorsements, continues rising to prominence. You also have players like Sloane Stephens, Taylor Townsend, Madison Keys, Asia Muhammad, Donald Young, Sachia Vickery, and Alycia Parks working to carve out a niche in the sport.
Gauff has won over $15.1 million in prize money (both singles and doubles) as of July 2024, Forbes reports. And she has endorsements surpassing $20 million.
Time will tell if current — or future — player will match or surpass the successes of Venus and Serena on and off the court.
