Tennis players got $105.1 million of the $142 million estimated to have been earned by the top 10 female athletes.
Tennis players again dominate the Forbes ranking of the highest-earning female athletes, accounting for seven of the top ten.
Maria Sharapova topped the ranking for the tenth consecutive year, earning $24.4 million, with $22 million from endorsements. While she has resumed her winning ways on court after a shoulder injury, the Russian has also been prominent in her dealings off the court, promoting existing sponsors like Porsche, signing a new deal with Avon, expanding her candy line and taking an investment position in a skincare company.
At No. 2 was Na Li, who got bonuses from her Australian Open victory that took her to $23.6 million, $18 million from endorsements. Serena Williams was No. 3 with $22 million.
Victoria Azarenka is at No. 6, down two spots from a year ago following an injury-plagued season, but still earning $11.1 million. She is followed by Caroline Wozniacki, who earned $1.3 million in prize money but $9.5 million in endorsements — the fourth highest among female players — for $10.8 million. The former No. 1 has several deals still, despite exiting the top 10, but her ranking is climbing again.
Agnieszka Radwanska is No. 8, with several smaller deals giving her $3 million in endorsements and earnings of $6.8 million
Another former No. 1, Ana Ivanovic, also has greater endorsement income than winnings, getting $5 million from various deals and winning $1.4 million to put her earnings at $6.4 million.
Topics: Agnieszka Radwanska, Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Forbes, Li Na, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Tennis, Tennis News, Victoria Azarenka, women's sports, Wta
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#TENNIS PLAYERS ARE THE TOP EARNERS IN WOMEN’S #SPORTS, @MariaSharapova TOPS THE LIST FOLLOWED BY LI NA- http://t.co/ZcqVh8LJSg #WTA