Here’s a jaw-dropping fact: Iga Swiatek, at just 24 years old, has already surpassed tennis legend Venus Williams in career earnings, securing her spot as the second-highest earner in WTA history. But here’s where it gets controversial—while she’s climbed past one Williams sister, she’s still a staggering $51 million behind Serena Williams. Can she close that gap? Let’s dive in.
Fresh off her quarterfinal exit at the Wuhan Open, Swiatek is already looking ahead to the 2026 season, starting with the United Cup—a tournament where she’s been runner-up twice. And this is the part most people miss—despite her focus on the future, she still has the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh to contend with, where she’ll chase her 26th WTA title. With six Grand Slam titles under her belt, including four at the French Open, one at the US Open, and one at Wimbledon, her resume speaks for itself.
Speaking of earnings, Swiatek’s career total now stands at a staggering $42,945,490, edging out Venus Williams’ $42,867,364. Bold prediction: Given her age and dominance, it’s not far-fetched to think she could one day challenge Serena’s $94,816,730 record. But let’s not forget her current rival, Aryna Sabalenka, who’s also climbing the ranks with stellar performances and untapped potential.
Here’s the updated WTA all-time earnings list for context:
- Serena Williams - $94,816,730
- Iga Swiatek - $42,945,490
- Venus Williams - $42,867,364
- Aryna Sabalenka - $42,480,621
- Simona Halep - $40,236,618
- Victoria Azarenka - $38,890,473
- Maria Sharapova - $38,777,962
- Petra Kvitova - $37,653,615
- Caroline Wozniacki - $36,479,231
- Angelique Kerber - $32,545,460
With the WTA Finals offering a $15.5 million prize pool next month, both Swiatek and Sabalenka have a golden opportunity to pad their earnings. Controversial question: Is Swiatek’s rise a testament to her talent, or does it highlight the evolving financial landscape of women’s tennis? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
