WTA Career Prize Money Leaders: Aryna Sabalenka overtakes Swiatek to claim second place behind Serena Wiliams

Aryna Sabalenka concluded her great season with a new milestone: she surpassed Iga Swiatek to take the second place spot among female players with the highest career earnings, second only to 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams—who still registers more than double the Belarusian's earnings.

The World No. 1 secured earnings of $2.7 million after reaching the WTA Finals final. Despite the loss in the title match against Rybakina, Sabalenka managed to climb from the 4th spot to the 2nd, leaving behind Swiatek (by about $1.5 million) and Venus Williams.

Sabalenka had a notable year with a 63-12 record and four titles, accumulating a total of just over $15 million for the season—nearly a third of her total career earnings. Her biggest prize came from winning the US Open title, which awarded her a total of $5 million. Her successful campaigns in major tournaments credit her rise: she holds four major titles, three finals, and six other major semifinal appearances. Additionally, she has a total of 21 titles, nine of which are at the WTA 1000 level.

As for Swiatek, her campaign at the WTA Finals earned her around $690k, adding to her season prize money total which exceeds $10.1 million. The Pole finished the season with a 62-17 record, three titles (the most important being Wimbledon), and one WTA 500 final. Her six career major titles have given her a bonus for accumulating large monetary prizes, which early in her career elevated her to be among the players with the most earnings in history. Although she was surpassed this time by Sabalenka, the Pole has several years ahead to challenge Sabalenka for the spot, especially considering she is 24 years old, three years younger than Sabalenka.

Within the top-10 list of players with the highest earnings, only four active players remain who can continue to increase their earnings on court. The undisputed leader is Serena Williams, with about $94.8 million in earnings, far ahead of all her pursuers. The podium is completed by Sabalenka ($45.1m) and Swiatek ($43.6m).

The legendary Venus Williams remains in 4th place ($42.9 million)—who, despite playing only a handful of matches a year, remains active and continues to add small amounts of money every time she steps onto the court. The seven-time major champion has already scheduled her next tournament for 2026 at the ASB Classic and for the moment seems unmovable from the 4th spot.

The top-5 is completed by the Romanian Simona Halep ($40.2m)—recently retired this year—who is the last player to break the $40 million barrier. With two major titles (and three other finals) and nine WTA 1000 titles, Halep's consistency over several years kept her as the immediate pursuer of the Williams sisters. She finished seven consecutive seasons inside the top-4, won a total of 24 titles, and reached 18 other finals, cementing her place in the history of players with the highest earnings.

Several great players from the last 15 years fill out the rest of the top-10. Victoria Azarenka occupies the 6th place ($38.9m). She is another active player who, heading into 2026, would not be surprising to see break the $40 million barrier. The retired players Maria Sharapova ($38.8m) and Petra Kvitová ($37.6m) remain in the ranking.

In 9th place is former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki ($36.4m)—the first player on the list who did not win multiple Grand Slams. After her initial retirement in 2020, she had a return to the courts between 2023-2024, but this past year she paused her career again due to her third pregnancy. Without making it entirely clear if she will return to the courts in the future, everything indicates that the Dane, now 35 years old, will not have many chances to advance positions in the ranking. The top-10 is completed by the recently retired Angelique Kerber ($32.5m), although she could be surpassed sooner rather than later.

Among the active players with the highest earnings, Coco Gauff stands out at No. 11, who at only 21 years old has already earned $29.8 million in prize money. The American added nearly $8 million this year, and everything suggests that she could finally climb into the top-10 in 2026. With a long career ahead, it would not be surprising if Gauff reaches much higher in the ranking and continues to advance positions starting next season.

Other active players who remain high up in the rankings include Elina Svitolina (13th, $26.6m), Karolína Plíšková (14th, $26.1m), Naomi Osaka (18th, $24.6m), and Elena Rybakina (20th, $24.4m). The Kazakh—the recent WTA Finals champion—pocketed more than $5 million and advanced about 10 positions to place herself within the top-20 historical players with the highest earnings.