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One of the greatest tennis players of all time, the world might have seen the last of Serena Williams. A 23-time Grand Slam winner, she arguably redefined women’s sports. Shattering almost all records, Williams leads the race for prize money. And the amount shocked even one of the wealthiest athletes, Shaquille O’Neal.

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The holder of four NBA titles, Shaq was a player of big money. Making defenders fall with sheer power, the Big Diesel had a stellar 19-year career. Playing for an array of franchises, Shaq roped in a whopping 292 million dollars in earnings, which in today’s NBA would be over $450 million. Likewise, he ranks as one of the highest-paid players of all time.

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However, despite this, Serena Williams left the former MVP in awe. Earning nearly nine figures, Shaq was amazed at her success.

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Serena Williams leaves Shaquille O’Neal speechless

Ranking second in Grand Slam singles titles, Williams was often the number one player. For 319 weeks, the six-time US Open winner ranked as the number one player in the world. At one point, the 40-year-old held the position for 186 consecutive weeks. Dominating the open era better than no other, Serena Williams was arguably as dominant as Shaq. Likewise, the long list of trophies brought in $94 million in prize money. And Shaq’s reaction to this achievement did the justice it probably deserves.

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Taking a minute to take it in, Shaquille O’Neal said: “$100 million in prize money, Damn!”

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However, numbers don’t show just how lethal Williams was in her prime. While she leads the all-time earnings race, the margin is unreal. Notably, the 23-time Grand Slam champion earned over double her sister Venus Williams’ purse, which ranks second with $42 million. Apart from her on-court triumphs, Williams did much more with endorsements. Notably, she roped in nearly $250 million through various deals and sponsorships throughout her career.

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Winning 10 of her Grand Slams after the age of 30, Serena Williams’ longevity was insane. Ending a nearly three-decade career, she will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest to ever step onto a court.

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Do you think Serena Williams is the greatest women’s tennis player of all time? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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Anuj Talwalkar

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Anuj Talwalkar is a senior NBA Newsbreak specialist at EssentiallySports, trusted for his real-time coverage and fast, accurate updates on league developments. With five NBA seasons and two Olympics coverages under his belt, Anuj stands out as the go-to reporter for the NBA Matchday Newsdesk. As part of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, he continuously refines his hard reporting with grounded storytelling shaped by fan culture and court-level insights. An economics graduate and lifelong OKC fan since the Supersonics era, Anuj combines analytical thinking and a genuine passion for basketball. He’s recognized for both his live news coverage and feature writing, with aspirations to someday interview Russell Westbrook. Anuj’s reporting is marked by its reliability, depth, and strong connection to the pulse of the NBA.

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