Canada's Leylah Fernandez has successfully defended her title at the Monterrey Open by defeating Colombia's Camila Osorio 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3). It's the second WTA title of Fernandez's career.

Read more: Davis Cup 2022: Australia qualifies for three consecutive finals

Leylah Fernandez Wins Amidst The Power Outage Controversy

It was far from simple. Camila Osorio, Fernandez's opponent, played fantastic tennis for the whole of the match. She had fewer aces, but she also had fewer double faults, and her serve appeared to be strong. In the end, however, Fernandez prevailed in a game that seemed to come down to experience in crucial games.

In a tiebreak, Osorio won the first set, Fernandez the second and third, and the deciding set was also decided in a tiebreak. The final set, on the other hand, was not without dispute. With Osorio leading 6-5, Fernandez complained to tournament organisers over a broken light in the stadium. Nevertheless, the lights were required to be repaired, which caused a delay. The impetus had shifted by the time play restarted. Osorio had lost her grip on the situation.

Read more: Most aces in tennis by male players

The match lasted nearly three hours, and Fernandez celebrated her victory by praising the host country on Twitter.

The Champion's Words after the victory

Leylah Fernandez, the defending champion, expressed her thoughts. She said Osorio is a difficult player to play and highly unpredictable. She also added that Osorio made this final so special to play.

An excited Fernandez unveiled, "She's a tough player to play against. She's very crafty, she does slices, high balls, it's very unpredictable."

"I'm very, very happy to have gone through these hard moments, and have fought, found solutions. And Camila, I hope we have many, many more finals like this because, without her, I don't think this tournament, this final, would be special," she went on to add.

Read more: Davis Cup 2022: Full schedule and fixture

This will undoubtedly not be the last time these two young tennis talents meet. However, for the time being, it's Leylah Fernandez's time to celebrate her second Monterrey Open.

Wimbledon Championships is arguably the most regal, prestigious, and coveted tennis tournament in the world. Most professional players aspiring to make it in the game want to win Wimbledon and become world number 1. That’s how important this Grand Slam is to everyone. 

As Wimbledon 2025 has come to its final stages, let's take a look at some players to watch on the ATP/WTA Tour Post-Grand Slam.

Also Read: Wimbledon 2025 Day Live: Semifinals Preview and Key Matches to Watch

Players to Watch on the ATP/WTA Tour

Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner has been on a big winning streak with an impressive tally of 19 consecutive victories to kick off 2025. Last year, he captured his first Grand Slam title in Australia marking a key moment in his career. Renowned for his aggressive baseline playstyle, Sinner possesses one of the most powerful shots on the entire tour.

Carlos Alcaraz

The winner of Wimbledon for 2024 and 2023, the tennis world is Carlos Alcaraz's oyster it seems, as he now has four Grand Slam titles in total. Aside from being a two-times Wimbledon champ, he's also won the French Open and the US Open.

With extraordinary mobility and an impressive combination of a powerful forehand and backhand, he poses a big challenge to his opponents, especially on slower court surfaces.

Daniil Medvedev

Standing tall at 6'6", Medvedev is a skilled counterpuncher with a strong ability to read his opponents' game. He went out in the 2024 semi-finals to Alcaraz - who went on to win the tournament. He previously reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2023.

As the only male player in the Open Era to have lost two major finals after winning the first two sets, he is eager to prove his mettle and silence his critics with a strong performance on the court.

Aryna Sabalenka

Currently world number one, Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka is one to have on your radar. She had to drop out of Wimbledon 2024 due to a shoulder injury, but will hope to be the champion in 2025 as she has already make spot for the semis.

Aged 27, she has won the Australian Open twice, in both 2023 and 2024. In 2024, she beat China's Zheng Qinwen 6-3 6-2 to take home the trophy. She plays tennis with a dominant and aggressive style, and prefers to play on grass.

Coco Gauff

At just 21 years old, this rising star has already climbed to the impressive rank of 2nd in the world. In 2024, Coco Gauff made it to the fourth round at Wimbledon. She achieved a milestone by winning her first Grand Slam at the US Open in 2023, defeating world number 2 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling match.

While the grass may not be her most comfortable surface, her game is developing and improving at a rapid pace, indicating that we can anticipate seeing her make a deep run into the next WTA Tours.

Iga Swiatek

Since her meteoric rise, the world number 8 has dominated the WTA tour, establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with. At 2024's Wimbledon, she made it to the third round, losing to Yulia Putintseva. However, her willpower and skill set helped her reclaim that top seed just two months later at the WTA finals in Cancun, Mexico.

Other Names to Keep Tabs On

ATP:

Ben Shelton, Holger Rune, Frances Tiafoe, and Alex de Minaur.

WTA: 

Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, Zheng Qinwen, Ons Jabeur, and Barbora Krejcikova.

Big-serving players have benefited throughout tennis history. One of the most advanced weaponry a tennis player may have is a powerful, well-placed first serve.

While most professionals can put the ball anywhere they want, only a few are capable of reaching speeds in the upper 140s and also the 150s.

However, We'll not limit ourselves to WTA-recognized fastest serves in tennis history for the applications of this top ten.

Therefore, without any further ado, let us dive right into the topic.

Read more: Top 10 fastest serves in Tennis history (ATP recognised)

Fastest Serves in Tennis History | Women's tennis

10. Caroline Garcia and Liudmila Samsonova (126.1 mph)

French tennis sensation Caroline Garcia and Russian player Liudmila Samsonova share the ninth spot on this list, chalking up a serve speed of 203 km/h (126.1 mph).

Caroline Garcia achieved her personal best at the 2016 Federations Cup in Strasbourg, where France hosted the Czech Republic in the final.

The host nation failed to outclass the Czech brigade in the summit clash and settled for a second-place finish.

Kicking off the top 10 list is the 6 ft” Russian, Liudmila Samsonova hit a 126.1 mph serve at French Open in 2024.

She has won five singles and two doubles titles on the WTA Tour, her first title being a WTA 500 title at the 2021 German Open. 

9. Elena Rybakina (126.8 mph)

9th on the list is Elena Rybakina, who left a lasting impression during the 2024 Abu Dhabi Open with her serve clocking in at a remarkable speed of 204 km/h (126.8 mph). 

Rybakina is the first player from Kazakhstan to win a title at a major tournament, claiming the 2022 Wimbledon.

She has won eight titles on the WTA Tour, including two WTA 1000 titles at the 2023 Indian Wells Open and the 2023 Italian Open.

8. Naomi Osaka (127.4 mph)

Four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka is one of the WTA’s brightest talents whose well-rounded game includes a powerful serve that’s a crucial element in her success.

At the 2016 US Open, she hit her fastest serve at 125 mph (201 km/h).

After that, she broke her own record by serving at 205 km/h (127.4 mph) at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Open.

7. Coco Gauff (128.0 mph)

Since turning pro in 2018, Coco Gauff has had one of the more powerful games on tour, and her career fastest serve is proof.

At the young age of 18, Coco hit her fastest serve, which reached 128 mph (206 km/h) while playing at the 2022 US Open. Born in 2004, she’ll have plenty of opportunities to break her record.

Gauff has already won a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open and reached a final at the 2022 French Open.

6. Serena Williams (128.6 mph)

A list of the fastest serves in tennis history in the women's game would be incomplete without the name of the legendary Serena Williams.

Serena's strong serve has saved her numerous times, and it has been her go-to weapon under duress for more than two decades.

At the 2013 Australian Open, Serena didn't just hit one 203.0 km/h (128.6 mph) serve; she blasted two in her match against Garbine Muguruza.

Asked about her achievement in the post-match interview, Serena said - "It's my fastest that went in. I've hit some 150s, but of course, they're, like, to the sky."

4. Venus Williams and Alycia Parks (129.0 mph)

Venus Williams, and Alycia Parks share the fourth spot on this list, recording a serve speed of 207.6 km/h (129.0 mph).

Venus Williams, like her younger sister Serena, has a tremendously powerful serve in her arsenal.

She is one of the tallest female tennis players in the world, and her first serve is one of her most powerful weapons.

Venus, however, relies heavily on her first serve because her second serve is problematic, with a number of double faults occurring at inopportune periods.

Venus has hit 207.6 km/h (129.0 mph) twice in her career, once in the first round of the 2007 US Open against Kira Nagy and again in the 2008 Wimbledon final against sister Serena.

Another big-hitting female tennis player on this list, Alycia Parks, has an explosive game, which includes one of the WTA’s biggest serves.

In 2021 she hit her fastest serve ever at 129 mph (207.6 km/h), which she clocked during her first-round match against Olga Danilovic.

Alycia won her maiden WTA title at the Lyon Open, outclassing French No. 1 Caroline Garcia in straight sets in the final.

3. Sabine Lisicki (131.0 mph)

2013 Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki was one of the finest servers on the WTA Tour between 2011-2015, before injuries and bad form took a toll.

Despite being sensitive to "grass," the German regards the surface as her favourite.

In fact, she has had more success on grass than on any other surface, including four consecutive quarterfinal appearances in the Wimbledon Championships from 2011 to 2014.

Sabine Lisicki rewrote the record books by serving the fastest-ever serve on the WTA circuit in her match against Ana Ivanovic at the 2014 Stanford Classic.

The German breached the elusive 130 mph mark for the first time as she clocked a thunderous serve measuring 210.8 km/h (131.0 mph).

2. Aryna Sabalenka (133.0 mph)

With a powerful baseline game and serve, Aryna Sabalenka has proved herself as one of the WTA’s elite players.

Her serve speed has topped out at 133.0 mph (214 km/h), number two on the list of fastest serves in tennis history.

She achieved the feat in 2018 at the WTA Elite Trophy, a year-end tournament.

Known for her aggressive playing style, Sabalenka's powerful serve has become one of her signature weapons on the court.

She's one of the most in-form players on the women's tour at the moment.

1. Georgina García Pérez (136.7 mph)

Topping the fastest serves in the tennis history list is Spanish player Georgina García Pérez, who unleashed a monstrous serve with a speed of 220 km/h (136.7 mph) during the 2018 Hungarian Ladies Open.

However, Garcia Perez couldn't find her best potential in terms of her all-round game.

She struggled to make the top 100 of the WTA rankings and has never won a main tour title in her career.

Many tennis players have proven themselves to be the best of all not only in the initial years of their career but also continued their legacy in the very end. They have achieved the most success in their career and yet thrived to be the best even during the end years of their career. In this article, we will present you a list of the top 10 Oldest World No.1 tennis players in history (men and women). 

Also Read: India's Rohan Bopanna becomes the oldest player to win a Masters title with the Miami Open triumph

Top 10 Oldest World No.1 tennis players (men and women)

10. Martina Navratilova | 30 Years

At the age of 30, Martina Navratilova became one of the oldest World No.1 tennis players in history. She reached the top of the rankings on November 25, 1985, and stayed till August 16, 1987. She remained at the top for 332 weeks in women’s singles. Apart from that Navratilova was also World No.1 for 237 weeks in doubles. With 18 Grand Slam singles victories, Martina is unquestionably one of the top female tennis players in history. She also achieved an incredible 31 Grand Slam titles in women’s doubles and 10 in mixed doubles.

9. Andy Murray | 30 Years 95 Days

Andy Murray reached the top of the table on 7 November 2016 and stayed for 41 consecutive weeks at the top of the ATP Rankings till 20 August 2017. Murray enjoyed one of the best-ever seasons in tennis in 2016 as he won Wimbledon, the ATP Finals, gold at the Rio Games, three ATP Masters 1000 titles and three ATP 500 events. He also finished runner-up at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.

Also Read: The Era of the Big Four: Tracing the Dominance and Twilight of Tennis Titans

8. Ivan Lendl | 30 Years

Ivan Lendl stayed at the No. 1 rank for 270 weeks. During a career from 1978 to 1994, he stayed at the top of the table the last time was on 12 August 1990. He spent a total of 270 weeks at No. 1, which was a record until Sampras overtook him in 1999. The former Czech-American player is the winner of 8 Grand Slam titles. Also, he's the first male tennis player who appeared in 19th Grand Slam finals.

7. Chris Evert | 30 Years

Only three players have touched the WTA No. 1 ranking in their 30s and Chris Evert was one of them. On October 25 1985, Evert was crowned one of the oldest World No.1 tennis players at the age of 30. Her legacy continued till November 24 1985. Evert also was ranked world No. 1 for 260 weeks and was the year-end world No. 1 singles player seven times (1974–78, 1980, 1981). She won 18 major singles titles, including a record seven French Open titles and a joint-record six US Open titles (tied with Serena Williams).

6. Jimmy Connors | 30 Years

The eight-time Grand Slam winner’s first stint at No. 1 in the rankings kicked off July 29, 1974, and Jimmy Connors remained top for 160 consecutive weeks, a then record. He had another eight stints for a total of 268 weeks with his final day at No 1 coming on July 3, 1983. American Connors still holds the record for most singles trophies won during a career as he has 109 titles to his name.

5. John Newcombe | 30 Years

John Newcombe climbed to the top of the Open Era on June 3, 1974, and continued the streak till 28 July of the same year. He spent 8 weeks at the No. 1 and the last time he was at the top on 30 years and 66 days. The Australian player won seven majors and he competed in both the amateur and Open Eras with two of his Grand Slams coming before the sport turned professional in 1968.

4. Rafael Nadal | 33 Years

On 18 August 2008, Rafael Nadal was first crowned the No. 1 on the ATP Rankings at the age of 22 years and 76 days. The 37-year-old finished as the year-end No. 1 five times and the last time he was at the No. 1 position was on 2 February 2020. In total, he has spent 209 weeks at the top of the rankings and was the fourth oldest World No.1 tennis player behind Andre Agassi. Nadal has also won 22 Grand Slam men's singles titles, including a record 14 French Open titles.

Also Read: Rafael Nadal pulls out from Monte Carlo Masters, may return in French Open

3. Andre Agassi | 33 Years

Andre Agassi started playing professional tennis in 1986 and continued till 2006. During these 20 years, he became the first man to win all four Grand Slam singles tournaments on three different surfaces. Before Novak, he was the first man to win four Australian Open singles titles. He reached the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in 1995 and again returned to No. 1 in 1996. Also, he stayed at the top of the rankings for 101 weeks. On April 28, 2003, at the age of 33 years and 13 days, he recaptured the No. 1 ranking. During that time, he was the oldest top-ranked male player, which was later surpassed by Federer in 2018. The last time he was at the No. 1 was September 7, 2003.

2. Serena Williams | 35 Years

Serena Williams is the Oldest World No.1 tennis player (female) in the WTA ranking list. She first went to the top of the rankings on 8 July 2002. At the age of 35 years, on 14 May 2017, she became the oldest female world No. 1. She was 35 years 124 days old when she won her 23rd Grand Slam singles title, at the Australian Open. In doing so, Serena became the oldest female Grand Slam singles winner. She was also ranked world No.1 in singles for 319 weeks, including a joint-record 186 consecutive weeks, and finished as the year-end No.1 five times. In addition, Serena won 23 Grand Slam titles, the most in the Open Era and the second-most of all time. 

Also Read: ATP & WTA Rankings: Most number of weeks as World No.1 Tennis Player

1. Novak Djokovic | 36 Years

Novak Djokovic has overtaken Roger Federer to become the oldest World No.1 tennis player in history as he turned 36 years, 10 months, 17 days on April 9, 2024. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will not be able to overtake Djokovic in the rankings before April 15, meaning his record will be extended by at least another week. The Serbian also holds the record for the oldest year-end No. 1 as he was 36 years, 7 months, and 9 days when he topped the rankings on the final day of 2023. In addition, he has the record for most weeks at No. 1 as he currently sits on a staggering 420 weeks – more than 100 weeks clear of Federer in second place – and that number is set to grow. 

Sports stands as one of the highest-paid professions globally because of vast financial rewards and entertainment value. However, despite many achievements, female athletes continue to earn substantially less than male athletes. Forbes' 2023 ranking highlighted this vast difference, with the top 20 male athletes gather $1.9 billion, more than eight times the earnings of the top 20 women. Today, we shift our focus to the top 20 highest-paid female athletes of the 2023-24 period and how much do they make in a year including prize money, endorsements and net worth.

The leading business magazine Forbes has revealed the world's highest-paid female athletes list. Twelve out of 20 athletes are from the world of tennis and dominate the chart. While Indian star shuttler PV Sindhu is India's sole representative on the list. she finished at the 16th spot alongside gymnast Simone Biles with her $7.1 million earnings.

Highest-paid Female Athletes | Top 20 List

1. Iga Swiatek (Tennis) | $23.9 million

At the age of 22, women's tennis world No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland topped the highest-paid female athletes list with an estimated $23.9 million (before taxes and agents' fees). In 2023, Swiatek was recognised as one of tennis's brightest stars by winning the second consecutive WTA Player of the Year Award. She has now spent a total of 82 weeks at the top spot, ranking 10th in WTA history. Swiatek also occupies the 14th position on the tour's career prize money list, boasting nearly $25 million in earnings.

Swiatek earned $14 million of her income through endorsements. Visa, On shoes and apparel, Oshee sports drinks and information technology company Infosys are some of the prominent brands endorsed by Swiatek.

2. Eileen Gu (Freestyle skiing) | $22.1 million

Eileen Gu, the freestyle skier and model, came in second on the top highest-paid female athletes list. She made $22.1 million in 2023, with the majority of her earnings coming from endorsements. Brands such as Mengniu Dairy and sportswear giant Anta in China, as well as luxury labels like Louis Vuitton and Victoria's Secret in the West, have all invested in partnerships with Gu. She was born in San Francisco but represented China in competition.

Despite struggling with a knee injury, Gu made a successful return in December and clinched victory in halfpipe events in both China and Colorado during her first World Cup action in 11 months.

Also Read: The Soaring Value of Women's Sports: A Game-Changer in the Sports World

3. Coco Gauff (Tennis) | $21.7 million

Coco Gauff enjoyed the biggest season of her career in 2023 on the court, highlighted by her breakthrough victory at the US Open, her first Grand Slam title. Gauff has won four WTA tournaments in 2023 and as a result, she achieved a career-best No. 3 ranking in singles.

Apart from that, Gauff also raked in the deals and endorsements off the court, too. She has an estimated net worth of $21.7 million. 19-year-old Gauff demonstrated her commercial appeal by securing partnerships with brands such as Baker Tilly, Bose, and UPS this year. Recognized for her passion for Marvel superheroes, Gauff was featured in an advertisement for the 2023 film "The Marvels" and graced the cover of a limited-edition Invincible Iron Man comic book.

4. Emma Raducanu (Tennis) | $15.2 million

2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, number three last year, played only 10 matches in 2023 as she underwent surgery on both her wrists and one ankle midway through the way. Despite this, she earned $15.2 million this campaign with $15 million coming from endorsements. Raducanu has an endorsement deal with HSBC, Tiffany, British Airways, Christian Dior, Vodafone, Porsche and Evian.

5. Naomi Osaka (Tennis) | $15 million

Naomi Osaka has not played an event since September 2022 till last year as as she gave birth to a daughter in July. Osaka has an estimated net worth of $15 million, which came only through endorsements.

Osaka cut way back on her sponsor commitments in 2023, but she did add a new partner three months ago; Meta created her own AI chatbot character named Tamika. Other celebrities with AI personalities on some Meta platforms include Snoop Dogg, Tom Brady, Kendall Jenner and Dwyane Wade.

Also Read: Highest paid athlete from each sport in 2022 according to Forbes

6. Aryna Sabalenka (Tennis) | $14.7 million

Aryna Sabalenka had a dominant 2023 as the only women to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slam events, including an Australian Open win and US Open runner-up finish. In September, she became the 29th women to ever hold the No. 1 ranking. She also received the International Tennis Federation's World Champion Award. 

Sabalenka has an estimated net worth of $14.7 million. She recently collaborated with Maestro Dobel Tequila and Leaf Trading Cards. Beyond tennis, Sabalenka invested in wellness brand Beekeeper's Naturals and Olipop soda. She was also featured in Netflix's tennis docuseries Break Point.

7. Jessica Pegula (Tennis) | $12.5 million

Jessica Pegula has yet to make it past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event but finished the year ranked fifth in the world thanks to wins in 77% of her matches and two tournament titles. She was named to the esteemed 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Pegula's stellar year on the court was her victory at the Montreal singles tournament, marking the biggest title of her career. In addition, she reached the championship match at the WTA Finals in November.

Pegula has an estimated net worth of $12.5 million. Off the court, Pegula continues to expand her brand presence by securing partnerships with brands such as Dyson headphones, De Bethune watches, and Gorjana jewelry.

8. Venus Williams (Tennis) | $12.2 million

Venus Williams' competitive appearances have become infrequent. She participated in just seven tournaments and played 10 matches last year but her influence as a marketing powerhouse remains. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion has recently expanded her brand portfolio through strategic partnerships with Dove and Nestlé's Purina PetCare. Simultaneously, she introduced a jewellery line in collaboration with Reinstein Ross and made a strategic investment in the Los Angeles Golf Club, a team set to compete in the upcoming TGL league developed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's TMRW Sports.

Beyond sports and lifestyle, Williams is extending her impact as an executive producer on "Behind the Racquet".

Also Read: Grand Slam Records: Most Grand Slam singles matches wins (men and women)

9. Elena Rybakina (Tennis) | $9.5 million

Elena Rybakina backed up her 2022 Wimbledon win with a pair of WTA 1000 tournament wins this year at Indian Wells and Rome, as well as a runner-up finish at the Australian Open. Building on this success, she had an outstanding 2023 season, securing victories in two WTA 1000 tournaments and concluding the year at an impressive No. 4 in the singles rankings.

Throughout her ascent, the 24-year-old player has strategically expanded her brand associations, forging partnerships with notable entities such as Red Bull and Yonex.

10. Leylah Fernandez (Tennis) | $8.8 million

Similar to Emma Raducanu, Leylah Fernandez continues to reap the rewards of her notable run to the 2021 US Open final. She maintains partnerships with more than 10 endorsement partners like Lululemon, Morgan Stanley, and Google Pixel phones. However, akin to Raducanu, Fernandez has encountered challenges in meeting the expectations set by her early success on the court.

11. Nelly Korda (Golf) | $8.2 million

Nelly Korda failed to reach the winner's circle in 2023, but her sponsor portfolio was transformed in a boost her off-course earnings. The 2021 Women's PGA Championship winner added lucrative new deals with Nike and TaylorMade, replacing J Lindeberg and Titleist to start the year, as well as another pair of global brands, Delta Airlines and Goldman Sachs.

11. Megan Rapinoe (Football) | $8.2 million

Megan Rapinoe did not get the storybook ending to her career as she was injured early in the NWSL Championship game, and her OL Reign fell to Gotham FC. Retirement will free up time for Rapinoe, who is a sought-after corporate speaker and last year launched a production company, A Touch More, along with her partner, WNBA legend Sue Bird.

13. Candace Parker (Basketball) | $8.1 million

Candace Parker captured the 2021 WNBA championship with the Chicago Sky and won another title (while injured) with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023. But with league salaries capped at around $200,000, she makes nearly all of her money from endorsements. Her brand partners include Adidas, CarMax and Gatorade and her annual off-the-court pay is more than double her total playing salary across her 15 years in the WNBA.

Candace was the first woman to appear on the cover of an "NBA 2K" video game and was among the star athletes to invest in trading-card exchange Alt in a funding round announced in November 2021. She also has a lucrative contract as an NBA analyst for Turner Sports.

14. Alex Morgan (Football) | $7.8 million

The US Women's National Team flamed out early at the 2023 World Cup, but Alex Morgan remains the sport's most popular choice for marketers. She has endorsement deals with Nike, Calvin Klein, Molecule, Hublot, Bodyarmor and Michelob Ultra. In 2021, she founded a female-focused media platform, Togethxr, with fellow star athletes Sue Bird, Chloe Kim and Simone Manuel. This year, she launched her own foundation. Her latest is an investment in Los Angeles Golf Club, a franchise in the Monday night golf league TGL set to launch in 2025.

15. Qinwen Zheng (Tennis) | $7.2 million

Qinwen Zheng won the WTA's Most Improved Player Award in 2023, an impressive follow-up to her 2022 Newcomer of the Year Award. She won singles titles in Palermo and Zhengzhou in 2023 and reached the US Open quarterfinals. Some in the sport wonder if she could be a marketing star along the lines of her countrywoman Li Na, who finished no lower than third in the female athletes earnings ranking from 2012 to 2014.

16. Simone Biles (Gymnastics) | $7.1 million

Simone Biles returned to competition in 2023 and was as dominant as ever. She clinched four gold medals at the World Championships, extending her record to 30 total career medals at the event, including 23 golds. She led the US to a record-breaking seventh consecutive world team title. In 2021, Biles left Nike to join Athleta, and this year, the brand released their third Athleta Girl Collection with Biles, which is entitled "Because I Can."

16. PV Sindhu (Badminton) | $7.1 million

India's PV Sindhu has made it into the list of top highest-paid female athletes by Forbes where she finished at the 16th spot alongside gymnast Simone Biles with her $7.1 million earnings. She is her country's sole representative on the list. Sindhu earned around seven million USD in off-field partnerships, having secured deals with Centuary Mattress and American Pistachio Growers in the past year.

Sindhu is already among India's most marketable athletes, with her sponsors ranging from Asian Paints to Bank of Baroda. Compared to her off-field marketing prowess, Sindhu earned just 0.1 million USD in on-field prize money, underlining her barren year and Badminton's financial disparity to other, more global sports. 

Also Read: PV Sindhu announces legendary Prakash Padukone as her mentor in quest of Olympic gold

18. Ons Jabeur (Tennis) | $5.7 million

Ons Jabeur reached her second straight Wimbledon final in 2023 and finished the season ranked sixth in the world. The Tunisian-born tennis ace was the first African and Arab woman to contest a major singles final. She has endorsements with Lotto, Wilson and Laval, and will collect an appearance fee in Saudi Arabia at the end of December.

19. Brooke Henderson (Golf) | $5.4 million

Henderson, a winner of two major golf championships, is arguably the most prominent female athlete in Canada. In January, she followed in the footsteps of Nelly Korda and transitioned to using TaylorMade equipment.

20. Markéta Vondroušová (Tennis) | $5.2 million

Markéta Vondroušová close the list of the top 20 highest-paid female athletes. At the time, Vondroušová, who was ranked 42nd, made history by becoming the first unseeded woman to clinch the Wimbledon singles title in July. It was an unexpected victory for her, as evidenced by her last-minute arrangement for a cat sitter.

Following her triumphant performance at the tournament, the 24-year-old tennis star from the Czech Republic secured a new clothing sponsorship deal with J.Lindeberg. She ended the year on a high note, ranking seventh in the women's singles rankings.

In a thrilling quarterfinal match at the French Open 2023, Brazilian tennis player Beatriz Haddad Maia emerged victorious against the formidable Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, securing her place in the semifinals of the prestigious tournament at the Philippe-Chatrier court on Wednesday.

Also Read: French Open 2023 Quarter-final schedule and fixture: How to watch it in India?

Before the French Open 2023, the Brazilian could not even go past the second round in any Grand Slam. But she is now into her maiden semi-final. Moreover, No.14 seed Beatriz became the first Brazilian woman to reach the Roland Garros semifinals in the Open Era. The only other Brazilian woman to reach the last four of a Grand Slam in the Open Era was seven-time major champion Maria Bueno at the 1968 US Open. Beatriz will face either No.1 seed Iga Swiatek or No.6 seed Coco Gauff in the French Open 2023 semifinal.

Earlier, Ons Jabeur has beaten Haddad Maia in 12 out of 15 matches. But Maia's outstanding performance and determined spirit propelled her to a hard-fought victory, leaving fans in awe of her skill and resilience. she had not won a set from Jabeur in two previous encounters. Beatriz has rectified both statistics in memorable fashion. Four of Haddad Maia's five matches in Paris have gone to three sets, including victory from match point down in the third round against Ekaterina Alexandrova, and triumph in the 10th-longest match of the Open Era against Sara Sorribes Tormo in the fourth round.

Also Read: Most French Open Titles (Women)

On Jabeur bagged a couple of quick breaks at the start to move into the driving seat with Haddad Maia having trouble dealing with her opponent's flat groundstrokes. The Brazilian, having already become the first woman from her country in 55 years to reach the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam, decided to run Jabeur instead. The Tunisian then deployed her much-feared weapon, plopping drop shots over the net with Haddad Maia quickly going 4-1 down.

Jabeur served out the first set a little later with the left-hander sending a forehand wide on the first set point. Both players held serve without conceding a single break point until 5-5. Jabeur went 40-15 up on Haddad Maia's serve but failed to convert either. Her opponent also wasted a chance in the next game but levelled after winning the tiebreak. She then raced to a 5-1 lead with Jabeur sending an easy forehand long on her opponent's first match point.