Li Na

Li Na was the first Asian-born player to win a Grand Slam singles title, capturing the 2011 French Open in a match that was watched by an estimated 116 million viewers in China -- one of the largest audiences for a tennis match in history. She added a second Grand Slam at the 2014 Australian Open, and her success opened the Chinese market for tennis in ways that have generated billions in revenue for the sport.

Li Na's endorsement portfolio was the most valuable ever assembled by a Chinese athlete in an individual sport. Nike, Mercedes-Benz, Rolex, Samsung, and Haagen-Dazs were among her sponsors, and her annual endorsement income peaked at over $18 million. She was the face of tennis in a country of 1.4 billion people, and her candid, humorous personality made her beloved by Chinese and international audiences alike.

Post-retirement, Li Na invested in a tennis academy in Wuhan and various business ventures in China. Her impact on the sport in Asia is incalculable -- the WTA credited her success with driving a massive increase in tennis participation across China, and the WTA Finals were moved to Shenzhen in part because of the market she created. Her net worth of $50 million reflects a career that generated far more value for the sport than it captured personally.