Naomi Osaka Becomes The World's Highest Paid Female Athlete

Japan’s sensational tennis player Naomi Osaka is the highest-paid female athlete in the world, surpassing Serena Williams as per Forbes magazine. Naomi who is 22 has earned $37.4 million in the past 12 months from prize money and endorsements. That is $1.4 million more than Serena. Naomi has set an all-time earning record, shattering the earlier single-year earning record by Russia’s Maria Sharapova of $29.7 million in 2015 as well.

As per Forbes magazine, Naomi who is 22 has earned $37.4 million in the past 12 months.

Forbes list 2020

Since 1990, the time when Forbes began tracking women athlete’s income figures, tennis players have topped the annual list every year. On the Forbes list 2020 of the world’s 100 top-paid athletes, Naomi ranks No. 29 whereas Serena William ranks No. 33. The final Forbes list which is expected to release next week has not featured two women since 2016.

Naomi four spots ahead of Williams

The two-time Grand Slam champion, Naomi’s father is from Haiti whereas her mother is Japanese. Naomi is said to be four spots ahead of Williams. Although Serena who has been credited as the winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles has collected almost $300 million during her career. Naomi's rise to the top puts an end to the winning streaks of the 38-year-old tennis star Serena, who has been maintaining the record of being the world’s highest-paid female athlete for the past four years. With her annual income ranging from $18 million to $29 million.

Also read: Please Forgive Me. Tennis: Maria Sharapova Calls It Quits

Osaka the winner of 2018 US Open in the controversial final beat Serena to win her first Grand Slam title. This was also a match in which Serena was given three code violations by the umpire. The tennis star Naomi then won the 2019 Australian Open as well. Though since then her form has plunged. And she has fallen from world number one to 10th on the WTA rankings.  Osaka is a popular figure and has secured fruitful deals with global brands like Procter & Gamble, Nissan, Nike, All Nippon Airways among others.

Shreya is an intern with SheThePeople.TV