REVEALED - Maria Sharapova The World’s Highest-Paid Sportswoman, See FULL List Here
https://nigeriaafrica1.blogspot.com/2013/08/revealed-maria-sharapova-worlds-highest.html
Astonishingly, SEVEN of the 10 richest sportswomen in the world over the last year were tennis players, with Maria Sharapova topping the heady list with earnings of a staggering $29m (£18.9m).
The list of the world's richest sportswomen, compiled by Forbes, revealed the vast wealth on offer for the finest performers across a range of sports, but it was tennis that came out very much on top.
Sharapova - whose business empire extends to sweets with her Sugarpova brand - has racked up endorsements of $23m to see her top the list.
The Russian's incredible endorsement range brings in a figure that dwarfs the $6m she collected in prize money for her on-court performances for the 12-month period ending in June.
The bulk of Sharapova's income came from sportswear manufacturers Nike and racket brand Head, while the 26-year-old's sweets brand also added a hefty figure to her overall takings.
Perhaps surprisingly, Sharapova even earned more than male tennis counterparts Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who picked up $26.9m and $26.4m.
Serena Williams of the USA, the world number one, was second in the list of female earners with $20.5m, followed by China's Li Na ($18.2m) and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus ($15.7m).
The top 10 also featured fellow tennis players Caroline Wozniacki ($13.6m) and Agnieszka Radwanska ($7.4m) - neither of whom have won a single Grand Slam in their careers to date - and Ana Ivanovic ($7m).
The only three non-tennis players in the women's top 10 are American Nascar driver Danica Patrick ($15m), South Korean figure skater Kim Yuna ($14m) and US golfer Paula Creamer ($5.5m).
Sharapova - whose business empire extends to sweets with her Sugarpova brand - has racked up endorsements of $23m to see her top the list.
The Russian's incredible endorsement range brings in a figure that dwarfs the $6m she collected in prize money for her on-court performances for the 12-month period ending in June.
The bulk of Sharapova's income came from sportswear manufacturers Nike and racket brand Head, while the 26-year-old's sweets brand also added a hefty figure to her overall takings.
Perhaps surprisingly, Sharapova even earned more than male tennis counterparts Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who picked up $26.9m and $26.4m.
Serena Williams of the USA, the world number one, was second in the list of female earners with $20.5m, followed by China's Li Na ($18.2m) and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus ($15.7m).
The top 10 also featured fellow tennis players Caroline Wozniacki ($13.6m) and Agnieszka Radwanska ($7.4m) - neither of whom have won a single Grand Slam in their careers to date - and Ana Ivanovic ($7m).
The only three non-tennis players in the women's top 10 are American Nascar driver Danica Patrick ($15m), South Korean figure skater Kim Yuna ($14m) and US golfer Paula Creamer ($5.5m).
