Who's the highest-paid female athlete? It isn't Serena Williams.

(Image credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

published 12 August 2015

Serena Williams has dominated women's tennis all year long, and has a very good shot of becoming only the third woman in history to complete a Grand Slam by winning the U.S. Open later this summer. In addition, her public profile has changed dramatically: the former problem child has become a bona fide media darling, most recently gracing the cover of New York for its fall fashion issue.

Still, Williams continues to be beat out in the money department, with Forbes reporting that Maria Sharapova, Williams' distant rival on the tennis court, was the highest-paid female athlete in the past year, the 11th year straight that she has worn that crown. "Williams earned $24.6 million from prize money and endorsements between June 2014 and June 2015," Forbes reports, "while Sharapova banked $29.7 million."

What explains the gap? Sharapova does have a profitable business in Sugarpova, a candy company that aims to become a lifestyle brand. But Williams also faces unique hurdles, despite her claim to possibly being the greatest female athlete of all time. "Williams' skin color, muscular body type, and one memorable outburst at the U.S. Open in 2009 have all been blamed for the endorsement gap between Williams and Sharapova," Forbes writes.