Osaka Sets Female-Athlete Earnings Record 

Over the past 20 years, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova often led the way in annual earnings for female athletes across all sports, setting records along the way.

Now, world No. 2 Naomi Osaka has eclipsed them both.

The four-time Grand Slam champion earned $55.2 million over the past 12 months, landing her at No. 15 among Sportico’s list of the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world. She’s also No. 1 among women, setting a record in the process for female athletes.

The breakdown shows just how much the Naomi Osaka brand has grown in that time: $5.2 million came in prize money, while $50 million was earned off the court. According to Sportico, the only active athletes to top Osaka’s endorsement tally are Roger Federer, LeBron James and Tiger Woods.

Osaka’s profile has grown considerably in the past year, particularly after her decision to be more vocal against social injustice. Taking a stand has led to negative outcomes for some athletes in the past, but with her willingness to get involved in the national discourse, Osaka appears to have experienced the opposite of that.

Since her US Open victory in 2018, her endorsements have only grown. She’s involved with everything from fashion (Nike, Levi’s and Frankies Bikinis) to food (her own Sweetgreen bowl recently dropped)—and much more.

Her visibility’s about to take another major jump in the weeks ahead: A three-part Netflix documentary is coming soon that will offer a look in her day-to-day life—one where the accolades and endorsements keep rolling in.