Sport has thrived in 2022, with a much desired return to normality after the COVID pandemic, with record crowds and fuller calendars, there has been some serious money to be earned.
When it comes to female athletes, it looks like tennis is certainly the place to be if you want to earn the big money, with eight of the top 15 from the sport, including the top three.
Sportico have broken down the top 15 and where the money has come from, so let’s get into it and see who comes out on top financially for the year…
15. Lexi Thompson - $5.5 million
Lexi Thompson had a respectable 2022, earning $5.5 million, with $4 million of that coming through her endorsements, which include the likes of Cobra, Dex Imaging and Rocket Mortgage.
GULLANE, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 05: Lexi Thompson of United States plays her tee shot on the 12th hole during Day Two of the AIG Women's Open at Muirfield on August 05, 2022 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
13 (tie). Nelly Korda & Garbine Muguruza - $5.7 million
The golfing sensation and tennis ace both earned $5.7 million in 2022, however, Muguruza earned more from her prize money, claiming $2.2 million in comparison of $1.7 million for Korda in golf, although the golfer made that back in endorsements.
Nelly Korda wins Olympic golf gold
11 (tie). Megan Rapinoe & Alex Morgan - $5.9 million
Americas football superstars both took home a tidy $5.9 million, both earning the same salary of $400,000, relying on their endorsements to fill the coffers. Rapinoe does so as a public speaker and corporate consultant for major brands, whereas Morgan has a more traditional set of clients.
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 03: Megan Rapinoe #15 and Alex Morgan #13 of the United States look on during the National Anthem before the USWNT Victory Tour friendly match against Portugal at Allianz Field on September 03, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The United States defeated Portugal 3-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
10. Leylah Fernandez - $6.4 million
The Canadian tennis star rose to fame when she took on Emma Raducanu in the 2021 US Open final, but that has helped her earn some massive endorsements, with $4.5 million to add to her $1.9 million prize money to see her take home $6.4 million this year.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts against Oceane Dodin of France during the Women's Singles First Round on Day One of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
9. Ash Barty - $7.6 million
Despite shocking the world with her retirement at 25, Ash Barty still made $5.1 million in prize money with a further $2.5 million in endorsements, something she’ll have to rely on even more going forward!
Ash Barty speaks to the media during a press conference at the Westin on March 24, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. Barty announced her retirement from tennis yesterday at age 25 and ranked number one in the world. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
8. Coco Gauff - $7.7 million
Teenage sensation Coco Gauff has been incredibly marketable this year, with $6 million of her total $7.7 million earnings coming from them. She has been a star on the court, making it into the top five in the world for the first time in her career.
ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - OCTOBER 19: Coco Gauff of the United States acknowledges the crowd after defeating Elisabetta Cocciaretto of Italy on day three of WTA Guadalajara Open Akron 2022, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Centro Panamericano de Tenis on October 19, 2022 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
7. Iga Swiatek - $8.1 million
Another tennis star makes the list, with the multiple Grand Slam winner occupying seventh spot thanks to her $5.6 million prize money and $2.5 million in endorsements, no surprise really when you see she’s sponsored by the likes of Red Bull and Rolex.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: Iga Swiatek of Poland poses with the trophy after her women's singles final against Donna Vekic of Croatia during Day 7 of the San Diego Open, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Barnes Tennis Center on October 16, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
6. Jin Young Ko - $8.3 million
After securing LGPA Player of the Year in 2021, Jin Young Ko took home $8.3 million with $3.6 million of which coming via her prize money. She also has plenty of endorsement deals which includes Bridgestone Golf and Adidas.
Ko Jin-young was one of the highest-paid female athletes of 2021
5. Simone Biles - $9 million
The Olympian earned just over $9 million, with only £38,000 prize money, her major endorsement deals were the driving factor in her earning so much after her injury hit campaign in Tokyo.
TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 03: Simone Biles of Team United States reacts during the Women's Balance Beam Final on day eleven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on August 03, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
4. Eileen Gu - $23.1 million
Another Olympian makes the list, again with a minor prize money haul in comparison to their endorsements. She made $100,000, with $22 million endorsement money seeing a big jump from our last athlete on the list.
ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA - FEBRUARY 18: Gold medallist Ailing Eileen Gu of Team China poses with their medal during the Women's Freeski Halfpipe medal ceremony on Day 14 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Zhangjiakou Medal Plaza on February 18, 2022 in Zhangjiakou, China. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
3. Emma Raducanu - $26.2 million
Britain’s latest tennis sensation has struggled on court this year following her breakthrough win at the 2021 US Open. She has still taken $3.2 million to the bank from prize money, but has been boosted by her popularity, making her a further $23 million via endorsements.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 27: Emma Raducanu of Great Britain looks on in a practice session during previews for the 2022 US Open tennis at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
2. Serena Williams - $35.3 million
Considering her time away from the court this year before retiring, Serena Williams only earned $300,000 on court, however, as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, her stock was unaffected, seeing her take home $35 million.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Serena Williams of the United States poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after winning the 2017 Women's Singles Australian Open Championship at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
1. Naomi Osaka $53.2 million
Similarly to Williams, Osaka has been away from the court this year more than she has been on it, still earning $1.2 million, with a staggering $52 million endorsement earnings seeing her way clear at number one on this list.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - APRIL 02: Naomi Osaka of Japan speaks to the crowd after losing to Iga Swiatek of Poland in the Women's Singles final during the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on April 02, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)