Statisfaction: Azarenka Reaches WTA Prize Money Milestone

Azarenka closes in on $7 million in prize money for 2012.

By Chris Oddo

Victoria Azarenka closes in on a record-setting $7 million in prize money for 2012

(October 7, 2012) – It’s been a truly fantastic year for Victoria Azarenka, and if you want proof beyond the sheer excellence of the tennis the 23-year-old has produced, look no further than her burgeoning bank account.

With Sunday’s title at the China Open in Beijing, Azarenka broke the WTA’s all-time record for singles (and combined too) prize money in a single season, eclipsing Serena Williams’ highmark, which was set in 2009.

With Azarenka playing Linz this week, and the WTA Championships upcoming in late October, the red-hot Belarusian could break the $8 million mark before it’s all said and done.

Here’s a look at the WTA’s top singles prize money leaders for every year since 2000:

YEAR	PLAYER	PRIZE MONEY
2000	MARTINA HINGIS	$3,457,049
2001	VENUS WILLIAMS	$2,405,763
2002	SERENA WILLIAMS	$3,514,731
2003	KIM CLIJSTERS	$3,610,657
2004	MARIA SHARAPOVA	$2,436,466.
2005	KIM CLIJSTERS	$3,779,221
2006	JUSTINE HENIN	$4,204,810
2007	JUSTINE HENIN	$5,367,086
2008	SERENA WILLIAMS	$3,594,119
2009	SERENA WILLIAMS	$5,584,437
2010	KIM CLIJSTERS	$5,019,440
2011	PETRA KVITOVA	$5,131,009
2012	VICTORIA AZARENKA	$6,905,651***

***Serena Williams also held the all-time record for combined money until this year. She earned $6,545,586 combined in 2009. Azarenka has earned $6,916,920 in 2012.

(Photo Credit: Chang Photography)