It was a pretty big year for women’s sports. The biggest event of course was the 2011 Woman’s World Cup, which was more exciting and more popular than ever before. Women’s tennis also got a big boost this year thanks to the return of it’s biggest star, Serena Williams, who had been out for the better part of a year. How did all of this affect this year’s results? You’ll have to read the list to find out.

So without any further ado, here are the world’s most popular female athletes in 2011 as measured by the number of Google search results from the past 12 months.

As we get closer to the U.S. Open finals, the grande finale of the 2011 tennis season, we here at Total Pro Sport thought it would be fun to have a look at who the world’s highest-paid tennis players. As you probably realize, the athletes getting the most money aren’t always the ones playing the best at the moment, which is bad news for indomitable tennis funny man Novak Djokovic but good news for guys like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. But don’t you go worrying about poor Novak. The world #1 did okay for himself this year and definitely will be able to pay next month’s phone bill.

Anyway, here’s a rundown of the top 9 earners from the world of tennis over the past 12 months. The people on the list probably won’t surprise you (if you follow tennis), but the order in which they appear just might.

9. Kim Clijsters

Clijsters may #3 among women in the world tennis rankings, but she’s currently #4 in earnings over the last 12 months. The 28-year-old had to pull out of the 2011 U.S. Open, so at the end of the calendar year she may slip a little further down the list, but so far she’s raked in $11 million in winnings and endorsement money. That’s pretty good for someone who retired in 2007 (at the age of 24), sat out two years, and came back in 2009. (I retired from writing 3 years ago, sat out for two years, and have made about $6,700 since returning.)

8. Venus Williams

Venus Williams is 31-years-old. In women’s tennis years, that’s about 93. Yet even at her “advanced age” and low rank (currently she’s #36)—and despite the fact that she’s played fewer than 15 matches all year—the former world #1 and seven-time grand slam winner can still pull in the bucks. Thanks to her endorsement deals with Wilson, EA, Kraft, Ralph Lauren, and Tide, Venus has netted $11.5 million since last September.

7. Caroline Wozniacki

Our third straight woman on the list, beautiful Belgian Caroline Wozniacki is currently ranked #1 in the world. But that don’t mean the 21-year-old is the top earning woman in the sport. No, that title currently belongs to someone else. Fortunately, Caroline still has the $12.5 million she’s earned in the last year to comfort her. She compiled that mound of dough by playing great tennis and negotiating fantastic incentive-driven endorsement deals with racket-maker Yonex and clothing giant Adidas.

6. Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick, 28, used to date American sweetheart Mandy Moore. Then she dumped him and married alt-rocker Ryan Adams. But Roddick should take heart, because he’s got one thing Adams does not: a ginormous…yearly income. Well, Ryan Adams’ income is probably pretty good too, but I seriously doubt the niche musical performer made $13 million last year like Roddick. Even though old Andy is only ranked #21 in the world right now, he’s got sweet deals with high-end brands like Lacoste and SAP to keep him afloat financially.

5. Andy Murray

Andy Murray is the fourth-best men’s tennis player at the moment, as well as the fourth highest-paid player on the men’s side. Still, on this list, the 24-year-old Brit weighs in at #5 thanks to a certain blonde bombshell. But to be honest, I wouldn’t have thought he would even be that high. Yes, he’s played some pretty great tennis of late, and yes, he gets about $4 million a year from Adidas. But why? The man has yet to win a grand slam tournament, and has only made the finals of a grand slam three times. Until he breaks through, he definitely has no business making any more than he has this year—$13.5 million.

4. Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic has earned a cool $18 million over the last 12 months, so the guy isn’t strapped for cash. Still, in a perfect world, you’d like to see a guy who’s been so dominant and so likable come in at #1 on a list like this. Then again, if things keep going the way they are (coming into the U.S. Open Novak was 57-2 this year), it won’t be long before the 24-year-old becomes the richest tennis player in the world.

3. Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is a fantastic tennis player. She’s won 3 of the 4 grand slam events, has been ranked as high as #1 in the past, and is currently #4 again after working her way back from injuries. So it’s clear she has earned a lot of her money through playing tennis. It’s also clear that there is no way she could have made $25 million in the last year simply by playing tennis. Being really hot helps. A lot.

2. Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has been so freaking good over the last 6 seasons that it’s almost impossible to believe the man is only 25. But hey, the internets don’t lie. Anyway, by winning the U.S. Open last year, he became the youngest player ever to achieve the career Grand Slam (and only the 7th overall). Oh, and that brought his grand slam win total up to an impressive 10—truly elite territory. Hell, six of those are French Open titles. That’s dominance, folks. So if anybody deserves to have made $31 million last year, it’s Rafa.

1. Roger Federer

Roger Federer is probably the greatest tennis player who ever lived. He seems like kind of a prick, but you can’t deny his achievements: 16 grand slams titles, a career Grand Slam (like Pistol Pete Samprass, Roger has had trouble on clay over the years, but he managed to get over the hump in 2009), and $64 million earned in winnings alone. But obviously Roger doesn’t sit at the top of this list because of that $64 million. Nope, the 30-year-old (90 in tennis years) Swiss superstar earns the majority of his cash through endorsements. That’s how he cleared $47 million last year.

Source

The U.S. Open kicked off earlier this week. This is great news for me, and for two reasons: because (1) I am a big fan of tennis, and because (2) I am an even bigger fan of beautiful talented women. Now, my needs as a tennis fan planning to watch matches on television were taken care of by the U.S. Open selection committee. They seeded the top 16 players so that the tennis fan part of me would have an idea of what matches might be exciting. But what my needs as a fan of hot ladies? Well, I had to take care of that myself. Here, for my own benefit as well as yours, is a list of the 9 hottest women playing in the 2011 U.S. Open. Set your Tivo accordingly.

9. Jelena Dokić

Age: 28
Home Country: Australia (born in Serbia and Montenegro)
Current Ranking: 73
Highest Career Ranking: 4 (2002)
U.S. Open Seed: n/a
Status: will face Jelena Jankovic in round 2 (battle of the Jelenas)

Okay, so I know this photo is a little scary. Jelena is in the process of pulverizing a tennis ball, and is making the typical facial expression that accompanies the tennis-grunt. But if you will just kind of block that facial expression out for a moment, you’ll see that Ms. Dokic is blessed with one seriously impressive physique.

8. Vitalia Diatchenko

Age: 21
Home Country: Russia
Current Ranking: 139
Highest Career Ranking: 105 (2009)
U.S. Open Seed: n/a
Status: eliminated in round 1 by Zheng Jie

Sadly for fans of beautiful women, poor Vitalia Diatchenko has already been eliminated from the 2011 U.S. Open. Have a good long look at her photo here, then cue up Sarah McLachlan’s “I Will Remember You” in your head and imagine a slow-motion montage of this beautiful Russian. Whether or not you employ the Ken Burns effect for your imaginary slideshow is up to you.

7. Petra Cetkovská

Age: 26
Home Country: Czech Republic
Current Ranking: 32
Highest Career Ranking: 32 (2011)
U.S. Open Seed: n/a
Status: will face #16 Ana Ivanovic in round 2

The good news about this Czech hottie is that, despite her advanced age (for women’s tennis she’s kind of old), she is currently on the rise in the world rankings, with her current position being her best to date. So, if all goes well, we may be seeing a lot more of her at future tennis tournaments. Unfortunately, there is also some bad news. Have you figured out what that is yet? If not, keep reading.

6. Gisella Dulko

Age: 26
Home Country: Argentina
Current Ranking: 51
Highest Career Ranking: 26 (2005)
U.S. Open Seed: n/a
Status: will face #4 Victoria Azarenka in round 2

You’re probably thinking, “hey, look, finally a hot female tennis player not from Eastern Europe.” Well, while Latin women are often some of the sexiest on the planet, I must tell you that Dulko here is of—drumroll—Hungarian descent. Dulko didn’t sound Spanish to you, did it? So if you are keeping score at home, so far that’s Eastern Europe 4, Rest of the World 0.

5. Caroline Wozniacki

Age: 21
Home Country: Denmark
Current Ranking: 1
Highest Career Ranking: 1 (2010)
U.S. Open Seed: 1
Status: will face Arantxa Rus in round 2

Now it’s Eastern Europe 5, Rest of the World 0. Yes, although Wozniacki was born and raised in Denmark, her parents are from Poland originally. They relocated when Caroline’s father, a pro soccer player, signed with a Danish team. Of course, in this photo the tennis superstar is looking an awful lot like the all-American girl next door.

4. Alona Bondarenko

Age: 27
Home Country: Ukraine
Current Ranking: n/a
Highest Career Ranking: 19 (2008)
U.S. Open Seed: n/a
Status: eliminated in round 1 by Sabine Lisicki

After a prolonged injury, Alona Bondarenko was able to get into the 2011 U.S. Open thanks to what is known as a “protected ranking.” Basically, what this means is that a player with a significant injury is allowed to return to action at the rank she (or he) held before the injury. That way, the player won’t have to start all over by having to qualify for every single tournament. Unfortunately for Alona Bondarenko—and tragically for the rest of us—a “protected ranking” status doesn’t help you shake off the rust. She lost in the first round.

3. Maria Sharapova

Age: 24
Home Country: Russia
Current Ranking: 4
Highest Career Ranking: 1 (2005)
U.S. Open Seed: 3
Status: will face Anastasiya Yakimova in round 2

Sharapova became etched in the hearts of tennis fans and sexy female-loving men around the world when she won Winbledon at the age of 17 back in 2004. Back then, if you talked about how hot Sharapova was you were a total pervert. Today the gorgeous Russian is 24, so it’s totally cool.

2. Dominika Cibulková

Age: 22
Home Country: Slovakia
Current Ranking: 15
Highest Career Ranking: 12 (2009)
U.S. Open Seed: 14
Status: will face Irina Falconi in round 2

I don’t know about you, but it makes me feel better knowing that the hottest women’s tennis players at this year’s Open are also some of the best. That’s because I can follow their progress closely without feeling shallow. If anyone asks why I care so much, I can honestly say “because ‘so-and-so’ is a phenomenal talent.”

1. Ana Ivanović

Age: 23
Home Country: Serbia and Montenegro
Current Ranking: 19
Highest Career Ranking: 1 (2008)
U.S. Open Seed: 16
Status: will face Petra Cetkovska in round 2

I doubt anyone will have any real objection with my putting Ana Ivanović at #1. But just in case, my logic was as follows: while there may be (and almost certainly are) women’s tennis players that are hotter than Ivanović off the court, there is no one in the world who is hotter than her on the court. So as far as watching this year’s U.S. Open is concerned, that makes Ana Ivanović the cream of the crop. Sadly, either Ana or #7 Petra Cetkovská will be heading home after the next round, because they are facing off against each other.

Oh, and in case you lost track…

Final Score: Eastern Europe 9, Rest of the World 0.

Just two days ago, we brought you a video of Djokovic playing a prank on a French-Canadian news reporter by whacking the dude in the marbles with his tennis racket. Today, we bring you a video of the men’s tennis star pretending to be women’s tennis star Maria Sharapova. The video is a parody of a Maria Sharapova commercial for tennis racquet company, Head. Check it out:

What’s most funny about all this is the fact that Djokovic’s fake commercial for Head is actually quite a bit more tame that the real commercial for Head a couple of years ago. Either way, this guy is loads of fun and a breath of fresh air for a sport that can sometimes be a little stuffy. (Could you imagine Roger Federer doing anything like this? I didn’t think so.) Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Ms. Sharapova thought it was pretty funny.

Hat Tip – [Busted Raquet]

Perhaps the greatest thing about women’s tennis is the outfits, especially the one being worn by Maria Sharapova in the image above.  Few things are capable of attracting a male audience quite like the sight of a gorgeous blonde with sexy long legs in a short skirt…

Not to mention the view from behind when she’s bent over searching through her bag.

Don’t hate them cause they’re beautiful. Hate them because they are beautiful and more successful than you are. And most of them could probably kick your butt on and off the court.

Hate them for that.

Though these ladies have looks, don’t write them off as eye candy, as they are among the most decorated and talented athletes in the world. In case you’re not willing to take my word for it, see below for the proof.

9. Maria Sharapova

At 17, she took down Serena Williams at Wimbledon. Though she’s no longer number one, she’s still killing it, with a resume that includes over 20 titles, including victories in the Australian Open, the US Open, and Wimbledon. She’s currently holding strong at number six in the world, with a serve that could bring her back to the top at any moment. Look out, numbers 1-5.

8. Jennie Finch

Sure, she’s got great looks in a sport that gets little media attention, so it’s easy to write her off as something of a novelty. She is currently retired, but led the US National softball team to a gold medal in 2004 and a silver in 2008. In 2002, she won her NCAA-record 51st consecutive game. Since softball has been pulled from the Olympics beginning in 2012, Finch has crusaded to see its return in 2016 in her retirement.

On the flip side, she has many times over been voted the nation’s most attractive athlete and, in 2004, was named one of People’s 50 Most Beautiful People.

7. Misty May-Treanor

Treanor has won more tournaments than any other beach volleyball player in history. That should be enough right there, but in case it’s not, I’ll keep going. She won gold with her partner Kerri Walsh at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. As early as 1994 in high school, Misty was voted as the best female volleyball player in the nation by USA today.

Sure she’s a little tall for the some, but she’s a pro athlete. It comes with the territory. Maybe you’re just too short.

6. Serena Williams

While her body type might not be for everyone, she’s got an inordinate number of admirers, including famed producer/director Brett Ratner, who dated Williams for some time. Some guys just like a girl that can kick their ass.

Williams has notched an astonishing 27 Grand Slam titles in her career, putting her among the most successful female tennis players of all time. She has a $40 million contract with Nike to show off their wares and has a fashion line of her own. Oh yeah, and once she threatened to “kill” a ref that called her for a foot-fault. Pretty awesome.

5. Paula Creamer

At 24, she’s the defending US Open champion, with 9 LPGA Tour victories. 2010 was her only year to earn less than $1 million on the tour, but don’t expect that trend to stick. She’s demonstrated that she is still on the rise, so don’t let the looks fool you. Further, her last name is “Creamer,” which makes me happier than any other name on this list does. Yup, even happier than “Wozniacki” makes me.

4. Caroline Wozniacki

This Danish tennis player is ranked number one on the WTA Tour and has kept that ranking for 36 weeks. At 20 years old, she has earned almost $10 million in winnings. She also is a backer of Liverpool in the Premiere League, so don’t go running your mouth about Arsenal or Man U if you are lucky enough to speak to her. Also, don’t bring up doubles tennis around her – she’s not that great at it, having established a losing record of 36-53 in her career.

3. Lindsey Vonn

This 26 year-old downhill skier has notched three consecutive World Cup downhill championships in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Overall, she has 41 victories in events such as the downhill, Super G, slalom, and super combined. She is regarded as the most successful racer in US skiing history, a stat that is backed up by a gold and bronze medal for her Olympic performances.

Also, she’s a hot girl that skis. What’s not to like?

2.Stephanie Rice

Rice might not be as well-known a name as some of these other athletes, but rest assured, she’s got both looks and success in spades. The Australian holds the record in the 400 M individual medley and has three gold medals. She might be the most important swimmer not named “Phelps.”

However, she’s got a bit of a mean streak as she tweeted after an Australian team beat a South African team in rugby, “Suck on that, f*gg*ts.” Yikes. That cost her more than a little goodwill and a few of her sponsors.

1. Gina Carano

Though she only competed in a handful of matches, she had established herself as one of the premiere fighters in the world of MMA. However, after some time away from the sport, her return was waylaid in April of this year after failing to receive medical clearance to fight. Both the medical issue and her return date are unknown, but Carano is keeping busy as a star of what is expected to be director Steven Soderbergh’s last film, an action movie of all things.

Of all the hot female athletes in the world, Maria Sharapova is one of the last I would expect to see in a pair of granny panties.  After all, don’t Russian women only wear sexy lingerie, or no lingerie at all?  So what is with the foot-long lace tighty-whities?

Leave it to a pair of granny panties to make any woman look unattractive, including Sharapova.

It should come as no surprise that when considering the hottest women from any era, the current crop usually wins out. As hot as Marilyn was, I’d rather see Megan Fox. If you don’t agree, you’re probably really, really, old. However, we at TPS strive to honor the old guard, so as we work our way down the list, we’ll enter a “hall of fame” section with some older names that you may or may not be familiar with. If you’re not familiar, take a gander and broaden your horizons, Junior. And in case that’s not enough, we got some duplicates of Bar Refaeli and her more modern cohorts.

30. Niki Taylor

Niki Taylor comes in at number 30, which definitely speaks to the hotness level of this list..

29. Petra Nemcova

Petra comes from the Greek word for rock. As in, her ass looks rock hard.

28. Tyra Banks

There was a time when Tyra Banks was hot. Now, I just want to hit her with a shovel.

27. Anna Kournikova

You have to be pretty hot to make a sweater look hot. Luckily, Anna Kournikova is pretty hot.

Those oversized sequins are hardly modest, but what good swimsuit is?

26. Yamila Diaz-Rahi

Someone needs to teach Yamila Diaz-Rahi to sit like a lady. Just kidding! Keep sitting like a whore, please!

25. Lucia Dvorska

What a fortunate rock.

24. Bridget Hall

Bridget was an SI fixture from 2002-2006. Where is she now? Probably travelling the globe, being ridiculously hot in exotic locales.

23. Hilary Rhoda

She looks like one of those girls in a tourism commercial that’s all, “Welcome to Tahiti!” Not complaining, just saying

22. Marisa Miller

Mind if I check out what’s under your iPod?

21.Heidi Klum

Will Ferrell can’t even counteract Heidi’s sexiness. That’s pretty damn impressive.

CLICK HERE For 30 Sexiest SI Swimsuit Photos of All Time 20 – 11

It’s no surprise that sports and athletics breed hot bodies. What is hot is poring over this list and finding out exactly what sports breed the most hot bodies. There are four golfers on this list! Four! Since when do golfers have better bodies than surfers? There’s no accounting for the madness on this list, but once you read over it, you’ll come to the same conclusion I did. The Mayans were right. The world is going to end. Which is completely fine, because I don’t want to live in a world where golfers are hotter than surfers. It’s just too bizarre.

25. Natalie Gulbis

Doing the impossible: Making golf sexy.

24. Sophie Horn

Two golfers kicking off this list has to be a first. The four horsemen should be cruising by any minute now.

23. Ana Mancino

Revolutionizing the way we think about Italian volleyball players. Not that we thought about them before.

22. Stella Vidal

We will gladly submit to this MMA fighter.

21. Natalie Coughlin

It’s no surprise that she picked a career where she always wears a swimsuit.

12. Anna Kournikova

You know how we roll at TPS. Let’s bookend this list with the Russian tennis players. Anyone who has a problem with that better make a VERY compelling argument in the comments. IF we really need a reason besides “she’s really really hot,” let’s just say that her grunting isn’t a huge turnoff and leave it at that.

11. Michelle Kwan

I’m going to go out on a limb and posit that the blur spin has practical applications beyond those on the ice. She’s used to being carried and tossed. Check and check.

10. Ashley Harlkeroad

She looks good in little-to-no clothing, she isn’t afraid to get naked, and her last name practically begs “porn pseudonym.” She makes the cut. Congratulations, Ashley! Welcome to the world of porn!

9. Misty May Treanor

We’re going to completely ignore the fact that some of these women are married, because that just sucks all the fun out of this exercise. Misty’s got the body, the tan, and though she’s a volleyball player, she’s only clocking in at 5’9″, so you don’t have to worry about her movies going straight to the “Amazon Woman” section of your adult bookstore.

CLICK HERE For The #1 Female Athlete We’d Love to See in a Porno