In 2014 Maria Sharapova ranked first among the world's highest-paid female athletes, according to Forbes.
Her total earnings this year reached $24.4 million.
1/8
© AP Photo / Matt Rourke
In 2014 Maria Sharapova ranked first among the world's highest-paid female athletes, according to Forbes.
Above: Maria Sharapova after her victory against Alexandra Dulgheru at the US Open.
Above: Maria Sharapova after her victory against Alexandra Dulgheru at the US Open.
2/8
© Fotobank.ru/Getty Images
Sharapova's total earnings this year reached $24.4 million.
Above: Maria Sharapova, the winner of 2014 French Open women's singles, poses in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Above: Maria Sharapova, the winner of 2014 French Open women's singles, poses in front of the Eiffel Tower.
3/8
© AP Photo / Pavel Golovkin
Maria Sharapova is the only Russian tennis player who played in the Grand Slam finals (singles) seven times during her career.
Above: Maria Sharapova signs autographs after her victory over Samantha Murray.
Above: Maria Sharapova signs autographs after her victory over Samantha Murray.
4/8
© Fotobank.ru/Getty Images
In 2012 Sharapova, together with Jeff Rubin, founder of the international retailer IT'SUGAR, set her own candy line which is called Sugarpova.
Above: Maria Sharapova meeting the press in Singapore.
Above: Maria Sharapova meeting the press in Singapore.
5/8
© AP Photo / David Vincent
Following her victory at the French Open in 2012, Sharapova became one of the few athletes who managed to achieve a Career Grand Slam, i.e. she won at each of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments in a select discipline.
Above: Maria Sharapova celebrates her big win at the 2014 French Open finals.
Above: Maria Sharapova celebrates her big win at the 2014 French Open finals.
The second and the third highest-paid female athletes were two other tennis players - China's Li Na ($23.6 million) and the American athlete Serena Williams ($22 million) respectively.
Above: Maria Sharapova takes part in the final leg of the Olympic Torch Relay of the XXII Winter Olympics.
Above: Maria Sharapova takes part in the final leg of the Olympic Torch Relay of the XXII Winter Olympics.
Five times during her career Sharapova was ranked first in the Women's Tennis Association rankings. She is currently ranked third by WTA.
Above: Maria Sharapova prior to the White Team match versus Caroline Wozniacki during the 2014 WTA Finals in Singapore.
Above: Maria Sharapova prior to the White Team match versus Caroline Wozniacki during the 2014 WTA Finals in Singapore.
Her good looks and success on the court allowed Sharapova to secure lucrative commercial endorsements that greatly exceed the value of her prize winnings and essentially helped her to become the highest-paid female athlete in the world.
Above: Maria Sharapova following her victory against Sara Errani at the French Open women's singles finals.
Above: Maria Sharapova following her victory against Sara Errani at the French Open women's singles finals.
