| Coco Gauff is making sure her impact on the game of tennis extends far beyond the baselines of Melbourne Park. Ahead of her second-round match at the Australian Open, it was announced that the top-ranked American donated $150,000 to provide scholarships for college tennis players at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The contribution marks Gauff’s second major gift to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). In 2025, she became one of the youngest major donors in the organization’s history after donating $100,000 to launch the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program. To date, Gauff has committed $250,000 to the cause, providing financial assistance to 10 eligible HBCU students.After a win to advance to the third round at the Australian Open, Gauff addressed the motivation behind her philanthropy. While the 21-year-old turned professional early and did not attend a traditional university, she noted that her roots are firmly planted in the HBCU community-thanks to family members who attended Historically Black Colleges or Universities. |
