Billie Jean King reacts as Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka & other WTA stars dominate highest-paid female athletes list
The 22-year-old will take on rising sensation Joao Fonseca at LoanDepot Park in Miami. In an interview with the Associated Press ahead of the exhibition events, he admitted that it’s normal for people not to fully understand why he chooses to play exhibitions, while also reiterating his frustrations with the hectic tour schedule:
Among women’s tennis stars, Gauff leads the list, followed by Aryna Sabalenka (2nd, $30M), Iga Swiatek (3rd, $23.1M), Zheng Qinwen (5th, $20.6M), Madison Keys (8th, $13.4M), Elena Rybakina (9th, $12.6M), Naomi Osaka (10th, $12.5M), Amanda Anisimova (12th, $10.8M), Jessica Pegula (13th, $10.5M), and Venus Williams (14th, $10.2M).
As a result, the top-15 list features 10 women’s tennis players, and that’s exactly what Billie Jean King was celebrating:
Notably, Gauff has retained her No. 1 ranking from last year, while Sabalenka climbed three spots from No. 5. Swiatek held onto her No. 3 position, and Qinwen slipped one place. Emerging American stars like Amanda Anisimova and Madison Keys made their debut on the list. Elena Rybakina rose from No. 14 last year to No. 9 this year, and Venus Williams, returning after a long hiatus, also secured a spot.
Of Coco Gauff’s $31 million earnings, $8 million came from tournament prize money, while the remaining $23 million came from endorsement deals. By defeating Aryna Sabalenka to win Roland Garros, Gauff has now become a two-time Grand Slam champion.
Of Coco Gauff’s $31 million earnings, $8 million came from tournament prize money, while the remaining $23 million came from endorsement deals. By defeating Aryna Sabalenka to win Roland Garros, Gauff has now become a two-time Grand Slam champion.