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According to the release maid by FORBES Magazine, Maria Sharapova tops the list of highest paid female athletes for the year 2011. Earnings of the athletes are for 12 months starting July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Earnings include the athlete’s prize money, salaries, appearance fee, licensing income and endorsement in total.
Tennis really seems to be turning out to be a game for the Women. With glamour quotient attached to the game and having a mass fan following, there is no reason to doubt that seven of the ten highest paid women athletes play tennis.
10. Paula Creamer - $5.5 million Age: 24Country: USSports: Golf
Paula is the lone golfer to have this list. Her deal with TailorMade-Adidas golf club in 2011 brought her up to this list. Her career prize money of $7.7 million is also the 12th highest for any women athletes. She was out of play for the first half of 2010 due to thump injury but return strong to win the US Open in her forth tournament after the lay off.
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9. Ana Ivanovic – $6 millionAge: 23Country: SerbiaSports: Tennis
The sexy tennis star has not won anything for long time and her making the top 10 earners is just because of her beautiful looks. Her attractive endorsement deals and appearance fee is what brought her to the top 9. In 2010 she had signed a lifetime endorsement deal with Adidas.
8. Li Na - $8 millionAge: 29Country: China,Sports: Tennis
At 29, Li Na became the first Chinese to win Singles Grand Slam event when she won the French Open in 2011. With already attractive endorsement like Nike, Rolex, Haagen-Dazs in her kitty, she recently signed a 7 figure endorsement deal with Mercedes Benz, making her one of the top earners in sports in China.
7. Kim Yuna- $10 millionAge: 20Country: South KoreaSports: Figure Skating
The beautiful 20 year old Figure Skater from South Korea is the only winter sports athlete to have made this list. Her earning in her sports is negligible as compared to what she earns through her endorsement and appearance fee. Her lists of sponsors include Samsung, Hyundai Motors and Kookmin Bank. She also organized ice shows in Korea and US through her company ‘All That Sports’ and earn millions from that.
6. Serena Williams – $10.5 millionAge: 29Country: USSports: Tennis
Dropping from Top 2 position just behind Maria Sharapova last year, Serena’s earning in this 12 months are mainly from her endorsement deal as she has been out of Tennis for most of the year. Firstly because of a surgery on her foot suffered in a motorbike accident and then blood clothing in her lungs. However she remains the highest grosser of a career prize money – $33 million, higher than any women athlete.
5. Kim Clijsters – $11 millionAge: 28Country: BelgiumSports: Tennis
Kim Clijster’s earnings of $6.5million as prize money is the highest in the calendar year July 2010 to June 2011. Her deal with Fila also pays a whooping bonus when she wins a tournament and since making a comeback in 2009 after retiring for two years, the mother on one has won four grand slam titles.
4. Venus Williams – $11.5 millionAge: 31Country: USSports: Tennis
The elder of the William Sisters, is at the brink of her career with frequent injuries after ruling the stage for nearly a decade. She launches her own line of clothing and earns decent from that. However she still remains among the top earners, thanks to her existing deals with Wilson, Electronic Arts, Kraft, Ralph Lauren and Tide.
3. Danica Patrick – $12 millionAge: 29Country: USSpots: Motor Racing
Danica, a racing car driver who competes in IndiCar and Nascar’s Nationwide Series earned $12 million. She pockets her maximum earnings through prize money and appearance fee. She finished fourth in Sam’s Town 300 in March, the highest finish ever by a woman. Her talent behind the wheel coupled with her sexy looks often lands her endorsement and in the cover page of fashion magazines.
2. Caroline Wozniacki – $12.5 millionAge: 21Country: DenmarkSports: Tennis
With many companies lining behind the No.1 Ranked Women Tennis player to sign a contract, the 21 year old is having a great time. Within this one year, she pocketed $6 million in prize money and another $6.5 million from sponsors and appearance. She has signed an endorsement deal with Yonex, Compeed, Oriflame and Adidas which paid her a whopping amount as bonus for her year ending No. 1 ranking finish.
1. Maria Sharapova – $25 millionAge: 25Country: RussiaSports: Tennis
Though Maria Sharapova has been struggling with her form and fitness for the last 2-3 years, she made a grand slam comeback last year and July and reaches the final of the Wimbledon. Despite being out of the circuit with injuries, she maintained an attractive endorsement deal with the likes of Nike, Head, Evian, Clear Shampoo, Sony Ericsson, Tiffany and Tag Heuer. She also extended her agreement with Nike for another eight years which is said to cost around $70 million.
