Not satisfied with denying Serena Williams a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam at the 2018 US Open final, Naomi Osaka has gone ahead to dethrone Serena Williams from her pedestal as the highest-paid female athlete in history.
Forbes magazine disclosed that the 22-year-old Osaka, a two-time Grand Slam champion, made £30.7m in prize money and endorsements over the past 12 months thereby setting a new record. That was £1.15m more than the amount earned by 38-year-old Williams.
Williams, a 23-time grand slam champion, has been the highest-paid female athlete for the last four years earning between $18 million to $29 million.
Osaka, who ranks at No. 29 in the Forbes top-100 highest-paid athletes in 2020, is now ahead of Serena Williams who sits at 33rd.
It’s the first time since 2016 that two female athletes have been ranked in Forbes’ top-100 best-paid athletes list.
Osaka shot to prominence after beating Williams in the controversial 2018 US Open final.
She also broke Maria Sharapova’s previous record for a female athlete which was set in 2015 when she totaled $29.7 million.
