Williams finishes runner-up to Osaka before US Open

Legendary tennis ace will be one of the four seeds as she chases a record-equalling 24th Slam singles crown with a depleted line-up at upcoming US Open

ABUSE: Serena Williams and Japan's Naomi Osaka

SERENA WILLIAMS never enjoys finishing second best, having already scooped 23 Grand Slam singles title across her illustrious career, but she had to settle as no.2 to Japan’s Naomi Osaka following the release of the latest Forbes list of sports earners.

The legendary 38-year-old ace’s earnings over the past year, according to research by US business magazine Forbes, was £27.5m (US$37m) but Williams was edged out by Osaka’s £28.6m (US$37.4m).

Osaka and Williams have both broken the previous record for annual earnings, which Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova set at US$29.7m (£22.7m) five years ago.

Health

Ashleigh Barty, the world no.1 on the WTA Tour, was dwarfed on the Forbes list by the big hitters to finish third with an annual income of US$13.1m (£10m). The Australian is one of six players to opt out of the US Open in New York, due to health and welfare concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Williams, as it stands, will be one of the four seeds as she chases a record-equalling 24th Slam singles crown with a depleted line-up. Had all the eligible WTA Tour players chosen to compete then world no.9 Williams would have missed out on the safety net of a top-eight seeding.

And the American icon is among a very limited number of players who have been granted permission to rent a house during the US Open. Her estimated expense for security to monitor her actions over the fortnight is around £45,000. The Grand Slam is set to be played behind closed doors at Flushing Meadows from August 31.

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