Saturday, October 31, 2026

The 25 Highest-Paid Women’s Tennis Players

  • Venus Williams takes the top spot.
  • Simona Halep is the only other active women’s tennis player to earn over $40 million.
Mar 19, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Venus Williams (USA) waves to the crowd while leaving the court after her match against Diana Shnaider (not pictured) on day two of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Tennis stands out among professional sports for offering equal prize money to both male and female competitors at its four grand slam tournaments.

However, this parity is not yet universal. The WTA has announced plans to extend equal prize money to all combined 1000- and 500-level events by 2027, aiming to close the pay gap across the sport.

After 23-time major champion Serena Williams retired in 2022, she remains a prominent figure in the tennis community.

Her sister, Venus Williams, is the highest-paid active women’s tennis player, earning $42.6 million in career earnings.

The five-time Wimbledon winner has won seven singles major championships. She’s been ranked number one three times in her career and became the first African American woman to rank number one with her first in 2002.

Simona Halep is second with $40.2 million in career earnings. She’s the only other active women’s tennis player to earn at least $40 million.

Halep is the second woman to win her first six WTA titles in the same calendar year, in 2013. She finished that year ranked 11 and won the WTA Most Improved Player of the Year award.

Victoria Azarenka is third, earning $38.2 million over her career. The Belarusian native has won the Australian Open twice in back-to-back years.

She became the first Belarusian athlete to win a major singles title when she won the Australian Open in 2012. In the same year, Azarenka earned two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics: a bronze medal in women’s singles and a gold medal in mixed doubles.

Both were the first medals ever in tennis for her country.

Despite the Grand Slams paying women the same as men since 2007, the same isn’t true for all regular-season events.

A merger of the ATP-WTA would generate millions more in revenue through sponsorship rights and media deals. A unified tour could also further narrow the gap in women’s earnings compared to men’s. 

Ranking The Highest-Paid Women’s Tennis Players

Here is the entire list of the top 25 highest-paid active women’s tennis players by total career earnings. The list was compiled with data from Spotrac.

  • Last Updated: April 30, 2025
RankPlayerSingles Major ChampionshipsCareer Earnings
1Venus Williams7$42.6 million
2Simona Halep2$40.2 million
3Victoria Azarenka2$38.2 million
4Petra Kvitová2$37.3 million
5Caroline Wozniacki1$36.4 million
6Iga Świątek5$34.7 million
7Aryna Sabalenka2$31.6 million
8Karolína Plíšková0$26.1 million
9Elina Svitolina1$24.8 million
10Coco Gauff1$22.96 million
11Naomi Osaka4$22.3 million
12Madison Keys1$21.2 million
13Sloane Stephens1$18.97 million
14Caroline Garcia0$18.4 million
15Jessica Pegula0$17 million
16Jeļena Ostapenko1$16.99 million
17Elena Rybakina1$16.7 million
18Vera Zvonareva0$16.5 million
19Sara Errani0$15.9 million
20Elise Mertens0$15.87 million
21Barbora Krejcikova1$15.8 million
22Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova0$14.9 million
23Kristina Mladenovic0$14.1 million
24Ons Jabeur0$13.8 million
25Su-Wei Hsieh0$12.8 million

Related lists:

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Golf and Tennis See Big Gains in Youth Sports Participation

Youth participation in flag football also keeps growing.

Mark Walter’s Sports Empire Shrinking Again

The Dodgers and Cadillac F1 remain in Walter’s portfolio despite other sales.

Rafael Jodar Embroiled in Yet Another Ball Kid Controversy

Jodar told a ball boy to “give me the fucking towel.”

Six Kings Slam Postponed to December Following Saudi Airport Attack

The tennis tournament was originally scheduled to start on Oct. 21.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/30/26 – First WNBA Game 7, Utah Targets Kalshi Founders, Cowboys Cheerleaders Unionize

0:00

Featured Today

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match
October 21, 2026

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Oct 10, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) looks on during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit:

Dylan Larkin’s Trade Demand Comes With a $41K Daily Price Tag

Larkin is playing an expensive waiting game, holding out for a trade.
October 28, 2026

Saquon Barkley Opposes 18-Game NFL Season: ‘Hell of a Sport’

The Eagles RB cited player health.
October 30, 2026

Pro Marathoners Grapple With the Sport’s Pervasive Doping Problem

Pros and coaches tell FOS the ripple effects last for years.
Sponsored

How the New York Yankees Stay Game-Ready with Sage Intacct

See how Sage Intacct helps the Yankees streamline finances and plan for the future.
Exclusive
October 28, 2026

NFL Told Saquon Barkley to Divest Polymarket Stake

“I was in it before, but no bueno,” Barkley told FOS.
Sponsored

How the New York Yankees Stay Game-Ready with Sage Intacct

See how Sage Intacct helps the Yankees streamline finances and plan for the future.
October 25, 2026

Jackson Contract Standoff Looms Over Ravens As Team Treads Water

The two-time MVP missed his third straight game.
October 22, 2026

Brewers’ Underpaid Ace Takes World Series Spotlight

The hard-throwing pitcher becomes a World Series focal point.