Forbes has recently released its fresh “world’s best paid female athletes”list. According to their study, women in the U.S. generally earn less than men do, approximately “77 cents for every dollar earned by men”. The gap is even more disconcerting among athletes, but there is one area in the world of sports that really sees men and women as equals, and that area is the tennis court.
This kind of explains why most highly paid female athletes are tennis players, with the highest earning being Maria Sharapova. She is right at the top of Forbes’ list with earnings of $29 million, of which $23 million are represented by endorsements and $6 million by prize money. This is the ninth consecutive year in which the Russian-born champion has secured this privileged position.
Next on the list is another famous tennis player, who boasts total earnings of $20.5 million. Her name Serena Williams and she has $12 million from endorsements and $8.5 million as prize money.
Following Williams is talented Li Nia, also a tennis player, with earnings of $18.2 million. The sum is represented by $15 million worth of endorsements and $3.2 million as prize money.
Number four on the list is again a tennis legend, the beautiful Victoria Azarenka. With $9 million endorsements and $6.7 million prize money, she has total earnings of $15.7 million.
The fifth best paid female athlete is the first on the list who doesn’t play on tennis courts for a living. She is gorgeous American racing driver Danica Patrickwith gross earnings of $15 million. Of this sum, $9 million is represented by endorsements and $6 million by prize money.
The top then continues with Kim Yuna (figure skater, $14 million earnings), Caroline Wozniacki (tennis player, $13.6 million), AgnieszkaRadwanska (tennis player, $7.4 million), Ana Ivanovic (tennis player, $7 million), and Paula Creamer (golfer, $5.5 million).
