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Serena Williams, pictured with French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, has overtaken Maria Sharapova for the title of world’s highest paid sportswoman. Photo: Xinhua

Serena Williams tops Maria Sharapova as world's highest paid sportswoman

Two days after her stunning loss to Garbine Muguruza in the French Open final, the 34-year-old has US$28.9 million reasons to smile

Two days after her stunning loss to Garbine Muguruza in the French Open final, Serena Williams scored a different win on Monday, when Forbes magazine reported she has overtaken Maria Sharapova as the world’s highest-paid sportswoman.

Williams earned US$28.9 million over the past 12 months, the financial magazine reported in an article posted on its website.

Russian tennis star Sharapova had held the title for the past 11 years.

Williams, 34, has dominated her sport for more than a decade. She won her second grand slam in 2002 before going on to win 19 more.

Serena Williams celebrates during an ultimately unsuccessful French Open tilt. Photo: Xinhua

After falling at Roland Garros on Saturday, she vowed to keep trying to equal Steffi Graf’s Open-era record of 22 grand slam titles.

First-timer: Garbine Muguruza stuns Serena Williams to clinch maiden French Open crown

Williams’ career prize money of US$77.6 million amounts to more than twice as much as any other sportswoman’s.

However, Sharapova dominated in endorsement profits before companies including Nike, American Express, Porsche and TAG Heuer distanced themselves after she tested positive for the recently banned drug meldonium earlier this year.

Sharapova earned US$21.9 million over the past 12 months, down almost US$8 million from the previous year, Forbes said.

American mixed martial arts star Ronda Rousey was third on the list with US$14 million, just ahead of Nascar stock car driver Danica Patrick, who earned US$13.9 million.

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