TOP 10 HIGHEST-PAID FEMALE ATHLETES IN THE WORLD (2025)

The game has changed! Female athletes are no longer just making waves in their sports, they’re cashing big cheques too. With sponsorship deals, endorsement contracts, prize money, and social media influence, women in sports are now building empires. In 2025, tennis continues to dominate the earnings chart, but other sports like freestyle skiing and athletics are catching up fast. These women aren’t just great athletes, they’re brands, icons, and global influencers. Here are the Top 10 Highest-Paid Female Athletes in the World in 2025.

1. COCO GAUFF – $34.4 million

Coco Gauff isn’t just the future of tennis, she’s the now. At just 21 years old, she’s already a Grand Slam winner, but what sets her apart is her marketability. With major sponsorships from New Balance, Barilla, Rolex, and Head, she’s pulling in millions off the court. Gauff earned $8.4 million in prize money and a jaw-dropping $26 million in endorsements in the last year alone. Her fearless style, youth appeal, and social consciousness have made her a corporate favorite. In 2025, she tops the list as the highest-paid female athlete in the world.

2. IGA ŚWIĄTEK – $23.8 million

The Polish powerhouse Iga Świątek continues to dominate the tennis court and her bank account shows it. With multiple Grand Slam titles to her name, she’s built a strong global brand around her calm composure and intelligent play. Endorsement deals with On Running, Tecnifibre, and Red Bull help boost her off-court earnings. In 2025, she raked in $9.8 million in prize money and $14 million in endorsements. Iga’s no-nonsense personality and unmatched consistency have made her one of the sport’s top earners and a role model for millions.

3. EILEEN GU – $22.1 million

Freestyle skier and fashion icon Eileen Gu isn’t just making history on the slopes, she’s dominating the brand game. Representing China, Gu has secured over a dozen sponsorship deals with companies like Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, and Red Bull. She earned just $0.1 million in winnings but a staggering $22 million from endorsements. Fluent in Mandarin and English, she bridges cultures and industries effortlessly. Eileen is a new-age athlete: half competitor, half influencer and fully bankable.

4. QINWEN ZHENG – $20.1 million

China’s rising tennis sensation Qinwen Zheng has burst onto the global scene with powerful performances and an even stronger presence off the court. Her growing success in WTA tournaments has caught the eye of major Chinese and global brands. In 2025, she earned $6.1 million in prize money and $14 million through endorsements and media appearances. With a strong fan base in Asia and an increasing footprint globally, Zheng is proving she’s not just the future of Chinese tennis,she’s the present.

5. ARYNA SABALENKA – $19.5 million

Belarusian superstar Aryna Sabalenka has become a dominant force in women’s tennis. Known for her aggressive play and raw power, Sabalenka is a fan favorite and a sponsor’s dream. She bagged around $9.5 million in prize money in 2025 and earned another $10 million in endorsements. Deals with Nike, Wilson, and top luxury brands have elevated her earning power. With her fierce determination and charisma, Aryna is becoming one of tennis’ most recognizable faces, and bankable stars.

6. NAOMI OSAKA – $17.2 million

Despite reduced on-court action due to injury and maternity leave, Naomi Osaka still pulls big numbers. The four-time Grand Slam winner is a global brand ambassador for Nike, Panasonic, Louis Vuitton, and more. While she only earned $0.2 million in prize money in 2025, her endorsements brought in $17 million, proving her name still holds massive value. Osaka’s honesty, activism, and multicultural appeal have cemented her as one of the most influential athletes of her generation.

7. EMMA RADUCANU – $16.5 million

Emma Raducanu became a global star after her fairytale US Open win, and despite injuries, her commercial value remains sky-high. She signed deals with Dior, Tiffany & Co., British Airways, and Porsche, among others. While her on-court performance has seen fluctuations, she still earned $1.5 million in prize money and a cool $15 million in endorsements. At just 22, she remains one of the sport’s most marketable names and a poster girl for resilience and grace under pressure.

8. JESSICA PEGULA – $13.9 million

Pegula, often dubbed the “richest tennis player” due to her family wealth, is also earning her own bag on the court. She made $5.9 million in winnings and $8 million through endorsements in 2025. Jessica is known for her consistency, smart business choices, and polished image. With partnerships from Adidas, Yonex, and Hologic, she is not just riding her family name, she’s building her own legacy.

9. ELENA RYBAKINA – $12.7 million

Kazakh tennis star Elena Rybakina has quietly become one of the sport’s top performers. With powerful serves and a calm demeanor, she won multiple big tournaments in 2025, earning $7.7 million in prize money and $5 million in endorsements. She represents the new wave of Eastern European tennis stars taking over the WTA tour. Sponsors love her quiet confidence, and her popularity continues to grow across Europe and Asia.

10. SIMONE BILES – $11.6 million

Simone Biles remains a global icon far beyond gymnastics. Even though she competes only occasionally, her brand power is unstoppable. In 2025, Biles earned an estimated $0.6 million in competition earnings and $11 million from endorsements. With deals from Athleta, Visa, Uber Eats, GK Elite, and more, Simone’s legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time makes her incredibly marketable. Her mental health advocacy and leadership off the mat have only deepened public respect. She’s not just flipping through the air, she’s flipping the script on what it means to be a powerful female athlete and role model.

Women in sports are rewriting the rules and the cheques. These top 10 female athletes are not just champions on the court or in competition; they are also queens of commerce, commanding millions in both prize money and sponsorships. As their influence grows, so too will their earnings, and that’s a win for sports, equality, and inspiration.