Iga Swiatek Becomes Third-Highest Career Prize Money Earner, Trails Only Williams Sisters

Iga Swiatek eclipsed the $40 million in career prize money after winning her maiden Wimbledon title, becoming only the fourth woman in history to achieve this feat.

Swiatek is now the first Polish player to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish at SW19. She swatted aside first-time Grand Slam finalist Amanda Anisimova 6-0 6-0 in just under an hour in Saturday’s final. It is the most one-sided women’s Major singles final in the Open Era since Steffi Graf beat Natasha Zvereva in 32 minutes in the 1988 French Open final by the same score.

Swiatek earned £3 million in prize money for two weeks of work (about $4 million in the current exchange rate). This is the largest Grand Slam paycheck for a singles champion, thanks to Wimbledon’s record-breaking purse of more than $70 million.

Swiatek Breaks into Top Three of WTA Career Prize Money

Swiatek becomes the fourth woman to cross the $40 million mark in career earnings. Only Serena Williams and Venus Williams have made more and have occupied the top two for the longest time. Retired Romanian Simona Halep is another woman who has also earned over $40 million, but now ranks fourth, behind the Williams sisters and Swiatek.

Swiatek entered this year’s Wimbledon ranked No. 8 in the all-time career prize money leaders with 36,372,498. But she has passed some distinguished names, including Halep, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki, and Petra Kvitova, after clinching her sixth Grand Slam title.

Swiatek has also overtaken Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff to become the top prize money earner this season. She is the first WTA player to pocket in excess of $7 million after Wimbledon.

Prize money pools in tennis have increased exponentially year on year. Top players are consistently earning even without winning tournaments. Take Swiatek’s case, for instance. She had not won a tournament this season before Wimbledon, but still earned over $3 million in the first half of the season. Female players also have access to equal pay at all four Grand Slams, and efforts are being made to bridge the gap at WTA 1000 and 500 events.

Top Four Prize Money Earners in Women’s Tennis

1. Serena Williams ($94,816,730)
2. Venus Williams ($42,648,578)
3. Iga Swiatek ($40,422,198 as per current exchange rate)
4. Simona Halep ($40,236,618)