Sharapova is top female athlete earner eleventh straight year
Tennis star Maria Sharapova again tops the list of highest earning female athletes over the past year, according to Forbes.
For the 11th consecutive year, the Russian heads a list dominated by tennis players, who occupy seven of the top 10 spots.
The 28-year-old Sharapova, who won the French Open last year, collected $6.7 million in prize money, but her total estimated earnings were $29.7 million, according to Forbes.
World No 1 tennis player Serena Williams is second at $24.6 million, while motor racing driver Danica Patrick is the top non-tennis player, in fourth place with $13.9 million.
The only other non-tennis players in the top 10 are number eight Ronda Rousey (mixed martial arts) and number nine Stacy Lewis (golf).
Boxers Floyd Mayweather ($300 million) and Manny Pacquiao ($160 million) head the latest men’s list, followed by Portugal and Real Madrid soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo ($79.6 million).
The female earnings were calculated from June 1 of last year until the same date in 2015.
Make note of the world's highest-paid female athletes of 2015:
| Ranking | Athlete | Sport | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maria Sharapova | Tennis | $29.2 million |
| 2 | Serena Williams | Tennis | $24.6 million |
| 3 | Caroline Wozniacki | Tennis | $14.6 million |
| 4 | Danica Patrick | Auto Racing | $13.9 million |
| 5 | Ana Ivanovic | Tennis | $8.3 million |
| 6 | Petra Kvitova | Tennis | $7.7 million |
| 7 | Simona Halep | Tennis | $6.8 million |
| 8 | Ronda Rousey | MMA | $6.5 million |
| 9 | Stacy Lewis | Golf | $6.4 million |
| 10 | Agnieszka Radwanska | Tennis | $6 million |
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