Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Serena sets prize money record

Reuters
Tuesday 03 November 2009 11:35 GMT
Comments
Serena Williams has been in fine form this season
Serena Williams has been in fine form this season

Serena Williams has set a single-season prize money record on the women's tour by earning $6,545,586 in 2009, according to the Women's Tennis Association.

The 11-times grand slam champion and world number one now has career earnings approaching $30 million.

"It's incredible how much women's tennis has grown in the last few years and that the Tour has increased our prize money so significantly," Williams said in a statement.

"We are very fortunate to have an opportunity to be so well rewarded for doing something we love."

This season Williams eclipsed the previous record of $5,429,586 set by Belgian Justine Henin in 2007.

Earlier this year, Williams also surpassed Lindsay Davenport as record holder in career prize money earnings on the Tour, and became the first professional female athlete to earn more than $23 million in a single professional sports league.

The 28-year-old American won the 2009 season-ending Championships as well as Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns this season.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in