The top WTA pros turned successful business owners

It's no secret that tennis players are the highest earning female athletes in the world. Many of these women have used their on-court success as a platform to enter into business ventures. Instead of resting on their sizable on-court earnings, these business-savvy women are capitalizing on their off-court opportunities.

1

Serena Williams, Serena

Serena Williams launched her clothing brand Serena in 2018. Her mission is to "celebrate and champion all women" and she encourages the use of her hashtag, #BeSeenBeHeard.

The clothing options cover at-home leisure, going-out casual wear and runway fashion, and every item is made of high-quality material to fit all body types. Serena unveiled her latest work on Tuesday with a new collection for New York Fashion Week.

2

MariaSharapova, Sugarpova

Maria Sharapova’s premium candy company Sugarpova was founded in 2012. Sugarpova “reflects the fun, fashionable, sweet side of international tennis sensation Maria Sharapova.”

A longtime candy lover, Sharapova created her own business to offer an accessible bite of luxury by interpreting classic candies in her own signature style. Her products include gumballs in the shape of tennis balls, gummies, truffles, chocolate bars and many more treats.

3

Dominika Cibulkova, ByDomi

Dominica Cibulkova is known for fighting spirit on court, but she's just as well known for her sense of style. The 30-year-old can always be spotted wearing the latest trends and posing for photoshoots and elevator mirror selfies to show off her latest fashion statements.

Cibulkova’s company is different from a regular clothing company since it's actually a foundation. The goal of ByDomi is to “support the former successful athletes, artists, scientists and other personalities from social life who previously represented the Slovak Republic at notable events or created conducive values for our society and who are in need of social support nowadays."

The Slovakian recently opened an academy in Bratislava called Love4Tennis.

4

Danielle Collins, Danielle Collins Jewelry

Danielle Collins is working on building a jewelry brand that is “Fine, FUNctional, and Timeless”. The 25-year-old only a few years into her post-college WTA career, but is already deep into planning for her future.

Ahead of Wimbledon, the American announced she is collaborating with Ritani, a fine jewelry company, that sells her jewelry and has her taking part in some of the design work.

5

Venus Williams, EleVen

Venus Williams was one of the first WTA stars to start wear her own designs, starting with the launch of her own brand EleVen in 2007—the same year she earned an associate degree in fashion design. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has since been causing a stir with all of her uniquely designed outfits.

During the 2010 French Open, she famously wore a lacy black dress with a red corset outline and skin tone spandex, closely resembling lingerie.

Getty Images

Venus' collections include a wide assortment of classic, active lifestyle and performance looks, and her company also produces casual footwear and accessories. The 39-year-old also has her own interior design company called V Starr Interiors.

6

Tsvetana Pironkova, Pironetic

Former world No. 31 Tsvetana Pironkova hasn't played since 2017, just one year after reaching the French Open quarterfinals. The Bulgarian welcomed her first child in April of 2018 and has been  busy launching a women’s sportswear line called Pironetic. Built around comfort, freedom and style, Pironetic produces pieces that can be worn daily for numerous occasions.

"I always look for balance in everything I do in both sports and life," she says on her website. "My wish was to bring this harmony in all aspects of the design collection to modern high-tech fabrics, colors, hand-painted prints and the most comfortable shapes. The lines are classic, but with interesting and artistic design ideas, combining the latest generation of technology fabrics and traditional cotton, with lots of attention to detail.”

These six women, and the many more striving to be like them on tour, have proven it's possible to manage a successful playing career while simultaneously thriving in the business world.

Follow Rachel Stuhlmann on Instagram @RStuhlmann.