The Top Six Prize Money Seasons in WTA History
In the realm of women’s tennis, few achievements are as significant as the pursuit of excellence on the court, especially when it comes to prize money. The year 2025 witnessed Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek enhance their already impressive legacies by reaching remarkable financial milestones. Both athletes joined an elite group of female players, becoming only the fourth and fifth women ever to exceed $10 million in prize money within a single year.
This article revisits the six most lucrative seasons in WTA history, highlighting Sabalenka and Swiatek’s accomplishments and placing them in context with historic performances from their predecessors.
6. Iga Swiatek, 2025 – $10,112,532
Swiatek’s annual earnings in 2025 marked a career high, surpassing her previous seasons where she accumulated greater than $8.4 million in 2024 and over $9.5 million in both 2022 and 2023. Her total earnings of $10,112,532 in 2025 position her sixth on the all-time WTA list.
The standout moments of her season included her remarkable victory at Wimbledon, where she earned close to $4 million, along with titles at both the Cincinnati Open and the Korea Open.
5. Angelique Kerber, 2016 – $10,136,615
Angelique Kerber experienced her peak season in 2016, culminating in a year-end ranking of world No. 1. With significant wins at the Australian Open and the US Open, along with a title at the Stuttgart Open and a runner-up finish at Wimbledon, Kerber ended the year with $10,136,615 in earnings. Remarkably, this figure represented nearly one-third of her overall career prize money at that time.
4. Serena Williams, 2015 – $10,582,642
Serena Williams achieved a historic feat in 2015, pocketing over $10 million for the second time in her illustrious career. This remarkable season was highlighted by titles at the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, in addition to her performances at the Miami Open and Cincinnati Open. Williams concluded the year with a total prize money of $10,582,642, marking the fourth highest ever recorded on the WTA Tour.
3. Ashleigh Barty, 2019 – $11,307,587
In 2019, Ashleigh Barty embarked on a transformative season that saw her rise to world No. 1. A pivotal moment was her triumph at the French Open, which led to her first Grand Slam title. Barty also claimed victories at the Miami Open and Birmingham Classic, ending the year with a record-breaking $11,307,587 in prize winnings, ranking as the third most lucrative season in WTA history.
2. Serena Williams, 2013 – $12,385,572
Once again, Serena Williams dominates this list, claiming the second position with her astounding total of $12,385,572 in 2013. This impressive figure represented a dominant campaign where she captured 11 WTA titles, including the prestigious French Open and US Open. With further titles in various WTA 1000 events, she showcased one of the most commanding seasons in tennis history.
1. Aryna Sabalenka, 2025 – $15,008,519
Aryna Sabalenka has rewritten the history books with her record-setting total of $15,008,519 in earnings for the 2025 season, making her the first woman in WTA history to surpass $15 million in a single year. This incredible achievement was driven by her remarkable US Open victory, which alone contributed $5 million to her total. Sabalenka also secured titles at the Miami Open, Madrid Open, and Brisbane International while earning runner-up finishes at key tournaments such as Roland Garros and the Australian Open.
The accomplishments of Sabalenka and Swiatek in 2025 serve as a testament to their exceptional talent and perseverance, further solidifying their places in tennis history.
