Serena tops Sharapova for women’s earnings

Serena Williams may have been second best at the French Open but the American has moved ahead of fellow tennis player Maria Sharapova to top the women’s earnings list in sports, according to Forbes Magazine.

Williams ended the Russian’s 11-year reign as the world No.1 women’s money earner in sports by hauling in $US28.9 million in combined prizemoney and off-field earnings during the past 12 months, the magazine said on Monday.

Sharapova, who lost some sponsorship money after announcing she had tested positive for the recently banned substance meldonium at the Australian Open in January and is provisionally suspended, holds second spot at $US21.9 million.

American mixed martial arts standout Ronda Rousey shot up to third on the list at $14 million from eighth place and $6.5 million, just ahead of compatriot and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, who earned $US13.9 million, according to forbes.com.

The rest of the women’s top 10 were also tennis players.

Forbes Top 10 highest earning female athletes:
1. Serena Williams
Total Earnings: $28.9 million
Prize money: $8.9 million
Endorsements: $20 million

2. Maria Sharapova
Total Earnings: $21.9 million
Prize money: $1.9 million
Endorsements: $20 million

3. Ronda Rousey
Total Earnings: $14 million
Purses/bonuses: $10 million
Endorsements: $4 million

4. Danica Patrick
Total Earnings: $13.9 million
Salary/winning: $7.9 million
Endorsements: $6 million

5. Agnieszka Radwanska
Total Earnings: $10.2 million
Prize money: $5.2 million
Endorsements: $5 million

6. Caroline Wozniacki
Total Earnings: $8 million
Prize money: $1 million
Endorsements: $7 million

7. Garbine Muguruza
Total Earnings: $7.6 million
Prize money: $4.6 million
Endorsements: $3 million

8. Ana Ivanovic
Total Earnings: $7.4 million
Prize money: $1.9 million
Endorsements: $5.5 million

9. Victoria Azarenka
Total Earnings: $6.6 million
Prize money: $3.6 million
Endorsements: $3 million

10. Eugenie Bouchard
Total Earnings: $6.2 million
Prize money: $0.7 million
Endorsements: $5.5 million