Dec 12: Serena Williams has signed a deal with sports manufacturer Nike which could make her the richest woman in sport. "We are extremely pleased that Serena will be joining the team of Nike athletes," said Nike director Riccardo Colombin.
No details have been given of the deal the six-time Grand Slam champion has signed with Nike.
But it is believed to be for five years at first with the option of three more.
If Williams meets performance-related bonuses over the full eight years she could net close to the $55-60m (£31- 34m) figure quoted in media reports.
That would top the $38m (£22m) her sister Venus earns from her five-year agreement with Reebok, while it is almost certainly more than the massive endorsement earnings of Russian Anna Kournikova.
Serena has not played competitively since capturing her second Wimbledon title in July and her world ranking has slipped from first to third.
She has been sidelined after knee surgery but is expected to return to action at this month's Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia.
"She is one of the greatest athletes, male or female, in the world," said Nike spokesman Dave Mingey.
"We cannot reveal specifics, but we will be working with her as both a woman and an athlete."

Bureau Report