Li Na retains top spot for sports income

Tennis star Li Na held her position as the richest sports figure in China in 2013, earning 124.5 million yuan (US$20 million), according to a domestic ranking. Li, who reached the final of the Australian Open and the semis at the US Open in 2013, topped the 2013 ranking list of highest-paid Chinese athletes released by Chinese sports media group Titan Sports recently. It’s the second consecutive year for Li to claim top spot after also leading in 2012 with income of 112 million yuan from both prize money and endorsements.

China’s two-time Olympic champion shuttler “Super” Dan came second to Li with 30 million yuan earned in 2013, and swimming sensation Sun Yang ranked third with 22 million yuan.

Thanks to their AFC Champions League-winning campaign in 2013, seven players from Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande, including national squad captain Zheng Zhi, made the list, with each earning at least 10 million yuan. — China Daily.