Maria Sharapova, tennis, RussiaSharapova has been featured in a number of magazines, notably in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. In 2006, she was Forbes magazine’s highest-paid female athlete in the world, with annual earnings of over $18 million US, the majority of which was from endorsements and sponsorships. She has topped that list every year since, even after her 2007 shoulder injury.
Daniela Hantuchova, tennis, Slovakia
Hantuchova speaks three languages (Slovak, English, and German), and was trained as a classical pianist.
Josefine Oqvist, soccer, Sweden
During the 2011 World Cup, video of Oqvist changing jerseys with and kissing a German male fan after the match with North Korea became a very popular YouTube hit.
Leryn Franco, javelin, Paraguay
Franco is perhaps more famous for her beauty than athletic ability, however, and has appeared, most notably, in the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition
Ana Ivanovic is a former world no. 1 Serbian tennis player. She is currently No. 14 on WTA rankings. Ivanovic endorsed Nike apparel and shoes at the beginning of her professional career, but at the beginning of 2006 switched to rival Adidas. Ivanovic then signed a lifetime contract with the company. Ivanovic will become an ambassador for Adidas once she retires from competitive tennis. She is believed to be the youngest athlete, male or female, to sign a contract of such longevity.
Melanie Adams, pole vault, Australia
Adams has aspirations to be a model and was a finalist in the 2006 Miss Teen Australia pageant. She hopes to enter the Miss Universe pageant in the future.