22-Year-Old Naomi Osaka Is The Highest-Paid Female Athlete In History

Tim-Clayton Corbis (Getty Images)

Naomi Osaka is now the highest-paid female athlete in history, reports Forbes. Osaka, 22, earned $37.4 million in the past 12 months from prize money and endorsements, which is $1.4 million more than Serena Williams made.

With that number, Osaka has set an all-time record for what a female athlete has earned in a single year. Maria Sharapova previously held the record when she earned $29.7 million in 2015.

Forbes also reports that this is the first time since 2016 that two women have made the rank of the 100 highest-paid athletes. In September 2o18, Osaka beat Williams in an emotional U.S. Open women’s final: Williams received three code violations. Williams infamously fought chair umpire Carlos Ramos on the calls, leading to a tearful victory for Osaka.

“It feels really emotional,” she said then. “I feel happy and sad at the same time and I think this is the most I’ve ever cried.” Williams hugged Osaka and later sent her the following text:

“Hey, Naomi! It’s Serena Williams. As I said on the court, I am so proud of you and I am truly sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing in sticking up for myself. But I had no idea the media would pit us against each other. I would love the chance to live that moment over again. I am, was, and will always be happy for you and supportive of you. I would never, ever want the light to shine away from another female, specifically another black female athlete. I can’t wait for your future, and believe me I will always be watching as a big fan! I wish you only success today and in the future. Once again, I am so proud of you. All my love and your fan, Serena.”

Hilary Weaver is a freelance writer based in New York who writes about politics, queer issues, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, and every woman the Queen has ever made a dame.
https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a32653708/naomi-osaka-highest-paid-female-athlete/

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