Williams Tops Prize Money List, Credits Billie Jean King

Women's Sports Foundation

By reaching both the doubles and singles finals in the Australian Open this weekend, Serena Williams became the all-time prize money leader in women's sports. Upping her total to $22.7 million in career prize money, she surpasses both Lindsay Davenport and Annika Sorenstam.

“You look at people like Billie Jean King, then you look at things in the United States called Title IX, which gave women an opportunity to play sports. You really appreciate that,” Williams said.

“You really appreciate the people, the pioneers, the work they've done to get me in a position to have an opportunity to be called even the highest-earning female tennis player.

“I just feel so honored that I had so many wonderful pioneers doing things to open doors."

Williams headed into Saturday's final having topped the money list, and emerged with a win that put her into another elite ranking. She now joins the pioneer she credits - Billie Jean King - as well as Chris Evert, Helen Wills Moody, Steffi Graf and Margaret Court in having won 10 or more grand slam titles.

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