Maria Sharapova Is The Top Earning Female Athlete In The World

Maria Sharapova hasn’t won a Grand Slam title since 2008. She’s currently ranked 5th in the world but she’s the highest paid woman in sports according to Forbes magazine. In 2010 Sharapova raked in $25 million. The bulk of her earnings come via endorsement deals. Nike, Head, Evian, Clear Shampoo, Sony Ericsson, Tiffany and Tag Heuer are a few of the brands the tennis star is signed with. Venus and Serena Williams also made the top 10 showing up at numbers 4 and 6 respectively.

Sharpova also recently re-upped with Nike for an 8-year deal believed to be worth $70 million. Women’s tennis number one ranked player, Caroline Wozniacki is second on the list earning half of Sharapova’s 2010 take. Not bad for an “almost Basketball wife”

1. Maria Sharapova $25 million (Russia, tennis)
2. Caroline Wozniacki $12.5 million (Denmark, tennis)
3. Danica Patrick $12 million (U.S., motor racing)
4. Venus Williams $11.5 million (U.S., tennis)
5. Kim Clijsters $11 million (Belgium, tennis)
6. Serena Williams $10.5 million (U.S., tennis)
7. Kim Yuna $10 million (South Korea, figure skating)
8. Li Na $8 million (China, tennis)
9. Ana Ivanovic $6 million (Serbia, tennis)
10. Paula Creamer $5.5 million (U.S., golf)

Curtsy to Forbes