Celebrity tennis star Maria Sharapova was named the world's most influential figure under 30 in the sports industry by Forbes magazine.
Sharapova topped the 30 Under 30 list of business-savvy sports figures with an income of $29 million from mid-2012 to mid-2013.
The tennis star owes most of her fortune to commercial contracts with companies such as Nike and Porsche.
Sharapova's recently launched candy line Sugarpova brought in $6 million last year, Forbes said.
Sharapova is the only Russian on the 30 Under 30 in Sports list, which is largely dominated by Americans, and is also the only athlete in the top 3.
Her runner-up is Muthu Alagappan, 23, a basketball analytic, while the third place went to lawyer Jonathan Amoona, 29, who worked on NFA and NBA disputes.
Forbes compiles annual 30 Under 30 lists in 15 categories, from finance to food and wine, marking young talents with entrepreneurial acumen who are "impatient to change the world."
The Florida-based Sharapova, currently No. 3 in WTA ranking, has won 29 singles tournaments, including four Grand Slam titles.
In 2005, she became the first Russian to rank as the world's top tennis player, according to the WTA.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
