Sharapova is world's top earning female
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Maria Sharapova may not have won a Grand Slam title since 2008, but the Russian tennis player remains unchallenged as the world's highest paid woman in professional sports.
For the seventh straight year, Sharapova topped the annual list provided by Forbes magazine, despite failing to add to her three Grand Slam titles, although she did make the Wimbledon final in July.
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Sharapova's earnings, mostly off-court endorsements, were estimated at $25 million, twice as much as her nearest rival, Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, the current women's world number one.
American racing driver Danica Patrick was third with $12 million followed by tennis players Venus Williams, Belgium's Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams.
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Seven of the top nine female earners were tennis players, including China's Li Na, who made $8 million last year but was expected to soar up the rankings and challenge Sharapova for the top spot after her breakthrough win at the French Open.
Click on NEXT to check out the top 10 women earners:
Maria Sharapova
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Image: Maria Sharapova
Caroline Wozniacki
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Image: Caroline Wozniacki
Danica Patrick
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Image: Danica Patrick
Venus Williams
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Image: Venus Williams
Kim Clijsters
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Image: Kim Clijsters
Serena Williams
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Image: Serena Williams
Kim Yuna
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Earning: $10 million
Country: South Korea
Sport: Figure skating
Image: Kim Yuna
Li Na
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Image: Li Na
Ana Ivanovic
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Image: Ana Ivanovic
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