Tennis remains a dominant force in the world of women’s sports, with seven out of the Top 10 highest-paid female athletes on Forbes’ 2024 list coming from the WTA Tour. The financial impact of tennis stars in women’s sports is evident, as even Venus Williams, who participated in only two tournaments this year, secured the ninth spot.
The financial evolution of women’s professional sports
For the first time, 11 women have surpassed $10 million in earnings, reflecting a significant milestone in the financial growth of women’s sports. Leading the pack is 20-year-old Coco Gauff, who raked in an estimated $34.4 million in 2024, making it one of the most profitable years for a female athlete. Gauff’s earnings place her just behind Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams on the all-time earnings list. Osaka reached a peak of $57.3 million in 2021, while Williams hit $45.9 million in the same year.
Collectively, the top 20 highest-paid female athletes earned over $258 million in 2024, marking a 15% increase from 2023. This growth is a positive sign of the improving financial viability of women’s professional sports, although female athletes’ total earnings still lag significantly behind the $2.23 billion earned by the top 20 male athletes on Forbes’ list. Notably, no women made it to the Top 50 of the overall highest-paid athletes ranking.
Despite the substantial growth, a stark contrast remains in how male and female athletes accumulate their wealth in sports. Only four of the top 20 women earned more from their performances on the field than off it, with their collective on-field earnings accounting for just 26% of their total income. In contrast, the top 20 male athletes garnered 72% of their $2.23 billion from on-field activities. Tennis players contributed significantly to women’s on-field earnings.
Top 10 women’s tennis performers and their stories
1. Coco Gauff – $34.4 million ($9.4 million on-field, $25 million off-field)
Gauff had an outstanding year, earning $9.4 million on the court, which included winning $4.8 million in the season-ending tournament in Riyadh. Off the court, she secured $25 million through sponsorships with brands like New Balance, Carol’s Daughter, and Naked Juice, solidifying her position as the top-earning female athlete of 2024.
2. Iga Swiatek – $23.8 million ($8.8 million on-field, $15 million off-field)
In 2024, Swiatek had a challenging year due to a doping scandal towards the end of the season, which cost her the No. 1 ranking. Despite this setback, Swiatek’s earnings remained strong, finishing just $100,000 below her 2023 total of $23.9 million. Off the court, she expanded her impressive sponsor portfolio by adding major brands like Lancôme and Lego to her endorsement deals.
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