earned almost $62 million to secure the number one slot on the international list which includes seven soccer players, five race-car drivers, two NBA stars, two baseball players and one boxer in addition to tennis stars Federer, Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova. David Beckham had held the top spot in the past, but he's in third place this year with $40 million while fellow soccer star, Lionel Messi, was second with $44 million.

In fact, Federer is second only to Tiger Woods in terms of all athletes. Woods earned $90 million and leads the list of American athletes. Rafael Nadal, despite an injury-plagued year in 2009, is ninth on the list this year with $27 million in total prize money, endorsements and appearance fees. Meanwhile, Maria Sharapova, who returned from shoulder surgery last year and has struggled with her on-court form the past year, still earned almost $20 million to land in twentieth place on the "Fortunate 50" international list. Sharapova was the only woman on the American or international lists.

Posted by TC at 09:03 PM |