Coco Gauff gifts United Negro College Fund $100K for HBCU tennis scholarships

Coco Gauff continues to extend her influence beyond professional tennis, aiming to create a lasting impact on and off the court throughout the United States.

The American has gifted $100,000 to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to provide scholarships for Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students playing competitive tennis. The Coco Gauff Scholarship Program, which was announced Tuesday, will be administered by UNCF beginning in May.

"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," said the 20-year-old Gauff, one of UNCF's youngest major donors.

"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. I want to help the next generation of student-athletes continue pursuing their passion for tennis while reaching their academic goals. My hope is that this scholarship gives more young Black players the confidence to chase their dreams, knowing they have a strong community behind them and a bright future ahead."

The world No. 3 has used her platform to champion social causes throughout her young career, and her recent gift is the latest example of her commitment to empowering others on and off the court.