Certainly the most recognizable name in women’s tennis, Venus Williams has both won hearts and made history in her outstanding career. Williams is not only the first African-American woman to receive the number one ranking since Althea Gibson back in the ’50s, but she also became an advocate for equal pay for female athletes.
She has gone head-to-head with sister and fellow-athletic icon, Serena, which has always drawn quite a crowd at tournaments. Venus has won at least seven of the bigger tournaments and only Serena has won more than her. Williams’s $95 million dollar fortune (almost $42 million from prize money) is also only just behind that of her sister. With so many accomplishments, Williams proves that she is a queen of the court.
Simona Halep – $30 Million
Romanian Tennis pro, Simona Halep dominated in singles both at Wimbledon in 2019 and at the French Open in 2018. Halep turned pro in 2006 and, after several years of hard work, managed to reach the threshold of the top 10 in her rankings. 2013 was a breakthrough year for Halep as she shifted her focus to playing the sport with passion versus the goal of winning every game.
The altered mindset must have worked as, since that time, she’s reached the number one spot on several occasions. Today, with her career earnings and endorsements, Halep has a net worth of around $30 million.
Gina Carano – $8 Million
Gina Carano first stepped into the public eye as she garnered a successful MMA career. Though the success was short (she only stayed in the MMA for 3 years), Carano was still crowned the “face of women’s MMA”. When she retired from the ring in 2009, Carano was able to pivot easily into acting.
Since stepping into Hollywood, she has starred in Haywire, Deadpool and The Mandalorian, sometimes even doing her own stunts! Though she did have some money from her MMA career, most of her $8 million net worth is from being an actress.
Brittney Griner – $4 Million
Brittney Griner has become one of the best and most recognized players in the WNBA. Sadly, however, her net worth reveals the monumental pay gap between male and female athletes. Though Griner makes over $100,000 a year under her contract with the WNBA, she has garnished her career by entering into short contracts to play in China.
While playing there in 2014, she reportedly made $600,000 in three months. As of 2020, her net worth is estimated to be $4 million, including endorsements.
Bianca Andreescu – $4 Million
Canadian Bianca Andreescu officially became a tennis pro in 2017 but has already made nearly $7 million from her winnings. Even at just 20 years old, Andreescu made sure that tennis fans will remember her name when she defeated Serena Williams in the 2019 US Open singles tournament.
She has become a fan favorite and even has supporters in both Canada and Romania (the homeland of her parents). To date, Andreescu has several sponsorships and endorsements, but with her career catching fire, she is bound to receive many more.