Serena Williams passes Maria Sharapova as highest paid sportswoman

On Monday, Forbes Magazine reported that Serena Williams has overtaken Maria Sharapova as the world’s highest-paid sportswoman.

Williams earned $28.9 million over the past 12 months, the financial magazine reported in an article posted on its website.

Russian tennis star Sharapova had held the title for the past 11 years.

Williams’s career prize money of $77.6 million amounts to more than twice as much as any other sportswoman’s.

Sharapova dominated in endorsement profits before companies including Nike, American Express, Porsche and TAG Heuer distanced themselves after she tested positive for the recently banned drug Meldonium earlier this year.

Sharapova earned $21.9 million over the past 12 months, down almost $8 million from the previous year, Forbes said. American mixed martial arts star Ronda Rousey was third on the list with $14 million, just ahead of NASCAR stock car driver Danica Patrick, who earned $13.9 million.

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