Serena Williams, one of the most successful tennis players in the history of the sport, He announced his retirement on Tuesday. to focus on his family.
The American, winner of 23 individual titles in Grand Slam tournaments, is the second highest paid female athlete in the world, according to the ranking of Forbes published in January.
The 40-year-old athlete, who will still play the next Grand Slam, earned 45.9 million dollars (mdd) in 2021. She was only surpassed by her colleague, Naomi Osala, who added 57.3 million dollars.
According to Forbes, the 10 highest-earning female athletes in the world collectively earned a total of $167 million in 2021, before taxes.
This figure represents a 25% increase from 2020 and surpassed by 16% the joint earnings record that was set in 2013, when the 10 female athletes who made the list earned $143.3 million.
Although there are women who are making history in their respective disciplines, this ranking shows that there is still much to be done to break the glass ceiling and end wage inequality.
For example, half of the women on this list are from USA; while only one of the 10 athletes practices a team discipline.
Likewise, half of the female athletes in this ranking are tennis players, showing that this is the sport that allows women to earn the most income (although some of it is due to earnings off the pitch, such as sponsorships or brand deals).
Below we present the ranking of the 10 highest paid female athletes in the world.
Age: 36 years
Nationality: American
Sport: basketball (Chicago Sky)
Earnings on the pitch: $200,000
Earnings off the pitch: 5.5 mdd
9.- Nelly Korda — 5.9 billion
Age: 24 years
Nationality: American
Sport: golf
Earnings on the pitch: 2.4 mdd
Earnings off the pitch: 3.5 mdd
8.- Ashleigh Barty — 6.9 mdd
Age: 26 years
Nationality: Australian
Sports: tennis
Earnings on the pitch: 3.9 mdd
Earnings off the pitch: 3 mdd
USE: In March 2022 announced his retirement from professional tennis.
7.- P.V. Sindhu — 7.2 mdd
Age: 27 years
Nationality: india
Sports: badminton
Earnings on the pitch: $200,000
Earnings off the pitch: 7 mdd
6.- Jin Young Ko — 7.5 mdd
5.- Garbiñe Muguruza — 8.8 million
4.- Simone Biles — 10.1 mdd
Age: 25 years
Nationality: American
Sport: artistic gymnastics
Earnings on the pitch: $100,000
Earnings off the pitch: 10 mdd
3.- Venus Williams — 11.3 mdd
Age: 42 years
Nationality: American
Sport: tennis
Earnings on the pitch: $300,000
Earnings off the pitch: 11 mdd
2.- Serena Williams — 45.9 mdd
Age: 40 years
Nationality: American
Sport: tennis
Earnings on the pitch: $900,000
Earnings off the pitch: 45 mdd
USE: In August 2022 announced his retirement from professional tennis, although he will still play the US Open
1.- Naomi Osaka — 57.3 mdd
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