Tennis players often earn huge sums of money both from prize money and endorsement deals.

For the most part sport is about winning titles and achieving glory, but the money earned while doing it certainly doesn’t hurt.

Tennis players in particular make millions on the ATP and WTA Tour through prize money and sponsorship deals.

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In fact, on the WTA Tour five players earned over $5 million in 2024, through prize money alone, with that figure topped up by lucrative endorsement deals throughout the year.

The elite players in women’s tennis brought in a lot of money this year, but one WTA star consistently earned more than any other for over a decade.

Maria Sharapova: The highest paid female athlete 11 years in a row

In 2015, former world number one Maria Sharapova achieved an astonishing record, as she was announced as the highest-paid female athlete for the 11th straight year.

The list, published by Forbes, considers prize money and endorsements and has been won by tennis players every year since its first edition in 1990.

Despite Serena Williams getting the better of her on the WTA Tour for the majority of their careers, the Russian continuously raked in more money.

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She peaked in 2015, taking home a mouth-watering $29.7 million, before Williams finally usurped her in 2016.

Year
Earnings

2015
$29.7 million

2014
$24.4 million

2013
$29 million

2012
$27.1 million

2011
$25 million

2010
$24.5 million

2009
$22 million

2008
$26 million

2007
$23 million

2006
$19 million

2005
$18.2 million

Maria Sharapova’s earnings: via Forbes
Her fall from the top spot coincided with her positive drug test at the 2016 Australian Open, which harmed her relationship with several big brands.

Both Nike and Tag Heuer suspended their relationships with the Russian star following the positive test, whilst Porsche postponed all promotional work.

Several brands such as Head stood by her as she continued with her vast empire of endorsements, and her ban from the sport was eventually shortened to just 15 months.

She never returned to the top of the Forbes list, or the top of women’s tennis, but very few women can say that they earned as much as Sharapova did and for as long.

Which WTA star earned the most money in 2024?

A decade on from Sharapova’s last time atop the rankings, which tennis star topped the list this time around?

Pole Iga Swiatek was looking to defend her crown after being on top in 2023 but faced some tough opposition.

Coco Gauff earned more than any other female athlete this year, ahead of several of her WTA rivals, as she took home $30.4 million.

Gauff earned a record prize by winning the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia in 2024, as she capped off another fantastic season.

The American has become one of the most marketable stars in the sport and has endorsement deals with companies including New Balance, Bose, UPS, Head, L’Oreal, and Naked.

If her performances on the court can continue to impress, then it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see Gauff top the list for many years to come.

Gauff is set to return to action at the United Cup which begins on December 27.