Forbes lists Maria Sharapova as the wealthiest female athlete for the 11th consecutive year
Forbes released their list of world’s highest paid female athletes and Maria Sharapova of Russia topped the list for a 11th straight year. Eight out of the ten athletes on the list are tennis players. Williams earned $24.6 million from prize money and endorsements between June 2014 and June 2015, while Sharapova banked $29.7 million.
Sharapova bounced back from injuries in 2013 to win her second French Open title last year and her fifth Grand Slam overall. Her $6.7 million in prize money is almost triple of what it was in the last 12 months. Of Sharapova's total earnings, only $6.7million (£4.3million) was made up of prize money - with the majority coming in through Sharapova's 23 endorsements.
The 5-time Grand Slam champion’s association with Nike, Head, Avon and her candy brand Sugarpova earned her bonuses after winning her second Roland Garros title.
Williams,who completed her second earned nearly twice as much as Sharapova in terms of prize money - $11.6million (£7.4million). However, her 13 endorsements compared to Sharapova's 23 meant she could only rise to second place in the highest-paid table.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion’s endorsement list is growing as she attempts to complete the Calendar Slam in New York. Williams added deals with Audemars Piguet and Chase over the past 12 months. The American also extended her deal with Gatorade.
The other athletes in the top five are Caroline Wozniacki at number three, Danica Patrick the NASCAR driver at number four and Ana Ivanovic at number five.
Wozniacki ranks third with earnings of $14.6 million, including $11 million off the court. Godiva chocolates and Lavazza coffee signed her this year. She is Godiva’s first ever athlete sponsor.
Danica Patrick, the first non-tennis player to make the cut at number 4, with earnings of $13.9 million. Patrick’s main sponsor, GoDaddy, announced in April that it was leaving Nascar after the 2015 season. Despite her struggles on the track, Patrick is still extremely popular and is expected to return to Stewart-Haas Racing with new sponsors behind her car in 2016.
| Position | Player | Earnings |
| 1 | Maria Sharapova | $29.7 million |
| 2 | Serena Williams | $24.6 million |
| 3 | Caroline Wozniacki | $14.6 million |
| 4 | Danica Patrick | $13.9 million |
| 5 | Ana Ivanovic | $8.3 million |
| 6 | Petra Kvitova | $7.7 million |
| 7 | Simona Halep | $6.8 million |
| 8 | Ronda Rousey | $6.5 million |
| 9 | Stacey Lewis | $6.4 million |
| 10 | Agnieszka Radwanska | $6 million |