The recently released promotional poster for the 2025 WTA Finals has stirred quite a controversy among tennis fans, primarily focusing on how reigning champion Coco Gauff was depicted compared to her fellow competitors. The poster, shared by the official Cincinnati Open X (formerly Twitter) handle—an event backed by billionaire Ben Navarro, father of qualifier Emma Navarro—sparked widespread criticism for its questionable design choices, particularly the noticeably small representation of Gauff.
Coco Gauff, who clinched the WTA Finals title in 2024 and is currently ranked World No. 3, appeared as the smallest figure among the eight qualified players on the poster. Meanwhile, World No. 2 Iga Swiatek was prominently featured, her face occupying the most space despite not holding the top ranking. This disparity confounded fans who took to social media to voice their disappointment and confusion.
"Why is Coco the smallest figure when she won last year’s Finals and is ranked third in the world?" asked one frustrated fan. Another commented, "Had to break out my microscope to find Coco in that picture." Calls mounted for the Cincinnati Open organizers to reconsider the design, with many labeling it “ridiculous” and “strange,” questioning the decision-making behind the image.
The tension surrounding the poster also brought attention to Emma Navarro, daughter of billionaire Ben Navarro. Emma’s presence at the tournament is partly thanks to the resources and support from her family’s wealth, a reality not lost on the tennis community. While Emma qualified on merit, some fans speculated on how financial backing could influence tournament promotions and visibility. The tournament’s promotional choice was seen by some as favoring Navarro’s exposure over the actual reigning champion, igniting debates about fairness and marketing in tennis events.
On the court, Coco Gauff is set to begin her WTA Finals title defense in the Stefanie Graf Group, facing compatriot and frequent rival Jessica Pegula. Their rematch follows the recent 2025 Wuhan Open final where Gauff defeated Pegula 6-4, 7-5 to secure her first WTA 1000 tournament victory. Despite the off-court controversies, Gauff remains one of the highest-ranked and most promising players on the tour.
The incident highlights ongoing discussions within the tennis world about player marketing, tournament neutrality, and the influence of financial power in sport. For now, fans await a possible revision of the poster, hoping the next promotional materials will better reflect the status and achievements of all players—especially the current champion Coco Gauff.
