Li Na (李娜)

   Sport: tennis

 2011 earning: US$22 million

2010 ranking: 6

Li Na is undoubtedly the most successful tennis player ever in China, and the only female athlete on this list. In June 2011, Li Na was ranked the No. 4 tennis player in the world according to the WTA singles ranking, becoming the highest ranked female Chinese tennis player.

The year 2011 was a victorious year for Li. In January, she reached the final of the 2011 Australian Open, becoming the first player from an Asian country to appear in a Grand Slam singles final. In June, she won the 2011 French Open singles title, making her the first player from an Asian country to win a Grand Slam in singles. So far, Li Na has won five WTA and 19 ITF singles titles.