Coco Gauff's on-court achievements were recognized at the 2025 ESPYS, while Sloane Stephens's off-court impact was acknowledged.
The ESPYS is an annual American award show produced by ESPN. First held in 1993, it recognizes individual and team-related excellence in sports and has been aired on ABC since 2021.
Last year, legendary 22-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams became the first African-American to host the awards. She has also won the Best Tennis Player Award multiple times.
Last year, Gauff secured that award, being favored over Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Iga Swiatek. The choice led to accusations from some of an American bias, but those complaints are heard each year at the ESPYS.
Gauff was undoubtedly chosen because she won her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open during the 12 months since the 2023 ESPYS. She achieved that at 19 years old, overcoming Aryna Sabalenka from a set down in the final.
The accusations of an American-centric bias continued at this year's ESPYS after Gauff again won the Best Tennis Player Award. Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz, and Sabalenka were the other nominees for the honor.
In the last 12 months, Gauff won her second Grand Slam at the 2025 French Open, coming back from losing the first set against Sabalenka again. She also claimed her first 2024 WTA Finals crown after winning a thrilling battle against Qinwen Zheng on a deciding set tiebreak.
Of the other nominees, Sinner probably has the most reason to feel aggrieved. The Italian has won three Grand Slams since the 2024 ESPYS, and could not have been close to winning all four after having triple match point in the 2025 French Open final against Alcaraz.
Although Alcaraz's record of winning three of the last seven men's singles at Grand Slams is very impressive, only the French Open triumph was in the last 12 months. Sabalenka won the 2024 US Open since last year's ESPYS.
Stephens was given the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. The 2017 US Open champion has made a significant impact by using her reputation to support others by providing opportunities for those who may not otherwise have them.
In 2013, the American founded the Sloane Stephens Foundation to provide educational opportunities for children and help them have active, healthy lifestyles through tennis. The foundation has been hugely successful and currently helps about 15,000 youth in the US.
Although Stephens is proud to have achieved her on-court goal of winning a Grand Slam, she is even happier about her achievements off the court. Her biggest passion is helping kids fulfill their potential through scholarships, tennis coaching, and other mechanisms.
Stephens was humbled to receive the honor and, afterward, posted two heartwarming messages on social media expressing how much it meant to her.
"So honored to receive the 2025 Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award. This one means everything. I’ve been lucky to live my dream on the court, but the work we do through the This award has my name on it, but it belongs to all of us."
"Honored. Humbled. On a mission. Thank you @ESPYS for the 2025 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. This isn’t just about me, it’s about the kids we show up for, the work we believe in, and the future we’re building. One opportunity at a time."
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