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Maria Sharapova may not have won a Grand Slam title since 2008, but the Russian tennis player remains unchallenged as the world's highest paid woman in professional sports.
For the seventh straight year, Sharapova topped the annual list provided by Forbes magazine, despite failing to add to her three Grand Slam titles, although she did make the Wimbledon final in July.
- PHOTOS: The sexiest female tennis players
Sharapova's earnings, mostly off-court endorsements, were estimated at $25 million, twice as much as her nearest rival, Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, the current women's world number one.
American racing driver Danica Patrick was third with $12 million followed by tennis players Venus Williams, Belgium's Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams.
- PHOTOS: The best naked run in sports
Seven of the top nine female earners were tennis players, including China's Li Na, who made $8 million last year but was expected to soar up the rankings and challenge Sharapova for the top spot after her breakthrough win at the French Open.
Click on NEXT to check out the top 10 women earners:
Earning: $25 million
Country: Russia
Sport: Tennis
- PHOTOS: The sexiest female tennis players
Earning: $12.5 million
Country: Denmark
Sport: Tennis
- PHOTOS: The sexiest female tennis players
Earning: $12 million
Country: USA
Sports: Motor racing
- PHOTOS: The sexiest female tennis players
Earning: $11.5 million
Country: USA
Sport: Tennis
- PHOTOS: The best naked run in sports
Earning: $11 million
Country: Belgium
Sport: Tennis
- PHOTOS: The best naked run in sports
Earning: $10.5 million
Country: USA
Sport: Tennis
- PHOTOS: The best naked run in sports
Earning: $10 million
Country: South Korea
Sport: Figure skating
- PHOTOS: The best naked run in sports
Earning: $8 million
Country: China
Sport: Tennis
- PHOTOS: The best naked run in sports
Earning: $6 million
Country: Serbia
Sport: Tennis
- PHOTOS: The best naked run in sports
Earning: $5.5 million
Country: USA
Sport: Golf
- PHOTOS: The best naked run in sports