Li Na is considered as China's most successful tennis player. (Photo : Getty Images)
Placing 14th in the Forbes' list of the world's richest sports retirees, Chinese tennis star Li Na topped the roster's women's chart with $14 million, according to a report by the Agence France-Presse.
The 34-year-old tennis icon retired two years ago but her stardom remains shining in China, the article noted. Li bagged titles in the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open.
As seen in the recently issued Forbes magazine study, the list is dominated by male sports figures, with NBA superstar Michael Jordan at the lead.
Jordan, a six-time NBA champion back in the '90s and currently the owner of the leagues' Charlotte Hornets, earned $110 million in 2015.
The basketball legend, who retired in 2003, is a known endorser of Nike brand, which mainly contributed in his earnings, among his other endorsement deals.
53-year-old Jordan is worth $1.1 billion, Forbes noted. The magazine also pointed out that he could "make at least $30 million more than any other athlete in the world this year."
Coming in second place is soccer star David Beckham, who is a leading investor in the launching of a Major League Soccer expansion team in Miami.
Beckham, with $65 million, has major endorsement partnerships in China and Britain.
Landing on the third spot is golf icon Arnold Palmer, 86, with $40 million, courtesy of his Bay Hill resort and his top-selling U.S.-branded iced tea-lemonade drink.
NBA's Junior Bridgeman came in the fourth spot with $32 million. Though he was mainly a reserve during his NBA stint, he managed to pull off high income with his diverse lineup of restaurant franchises.
On the fifth spot is 1950s National Football League player Jerry Richardson with $30 million. He also owns of a restaurant chain and the NFL Carolina Panthers.
Completing the top 10 are golf legend Jack Nicklaus (no. 6, $26 million), former NBA big man Shaquille O'Neal (no. 7, $22 million), race car driver-turned-car dealer Roger Penske (no. 8, $20 million), South African golf star Gary Player (no. 9, $19 million) and NBA superstar Magic Johnson (no. 10, $18 million).
