Watching the finals of the US Tennis Open a few weeks ago, my young niece asked, “How big is the prize?” In my ignorance, I guessed, “It’s a lot of money – probably a million dollars!” My older nephew quickly jumped into the conversation with his iPhone in hand – “No, you’re wrong (implying – ‘as usual’)! The winner gets $5 million. Even the runner-up gets more than a million.” To regain some of the so-called “respect for the elderly,” I went on to tell them that the prize money is just a small fraction of what winning a major title would earn them. “The real money is in the endorsements,” and thankfully, for my pride, I was able to show them that I was right.
What sports legend earn.
Sporting legends are idolised by millions of fans, and companies want desperately to associate whatever they sell, product or services, with the name of a popular sports star. I wouldn’t even venture to guess the magnitude of the money being offered to Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, the 2025 US Open winners, to get them to endorse an enormous range of products, many of them completely disconnected from tennis, and even from sports itself.
A quick dive into statistics showed me that there are 17 sportsmen (and no sportwomen!) whose lifetime earnings have exceeded a billion dollars, as of this year. The list is strongly tilted towards the most popular and “up-market” sports, which is why men’s basketball (Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant) and golf (Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman) account for more than half of the total in number, and more than 70% of the total earnings. Soccer (Ronaldo, Beckham, Messi, Neymar), tennis (Federer) and motor racing (Schumacher, Hamilton) make up the rest. It’s important to understand that this isn’t a list based on prize money, because, for example, there are no “winners prizes” in basketball or soccer. Rather, this is publicly declared earnings that have come primarily from the companies that pay to have their product and services endorsed, autographed and promoted by these sports personalities.
By far the highest earning woman on the list is Serena Williams (showing $650 million), so I thought it’s worth looking deeper into what is special about her that pulls her up into the stratosphere of top-earning sports stars.
Serena Williams – the tennis legend
Serena Williams was born in 1981 and she began intensive tennis training with her father and older sister Venus around age three, practicing for hours every day on public courts in California. The arena was not ideal, with broken-down courts, but despite the challenges, the sisters quickly fell in love with the sport.
Serena joined the junior tour, ranking as the top player in the 10-and-under division by 1991. The family then moved to Palm Beach, Florida, where the sisters trained with a professional coach. In 1995, at just 14 years old, Williams made her professional debut. She secured her first professional titles in 1998, winning mixed doubles at Wimbledon and the US Open. The following year, 1999, at age 17, she clinched her first professional singles title in France and won her first major, the US Open, beating the number-one ranked opponent Martina Hingis.
In 2002-2003, she achieved the “Serena Slam,” holding all four major singles titles simultaneously, a feat she repeated in 2014-2015. She won her 23rd Grand Slam singles title at the 2017 Australian Open, setting a new Open Era record. The Williams sisters were also successful in doubles, winning 14 Grand Slam titles and three Olympic gold medals.
In 2017, while pregnant with her daughter, Williams won her final major title. After a difficult childbirth, which she has openly discussed, Williams returned to the courts in 2018. She held the WTA’s world No. 1 ranking for a total of 319 weeks, including a record-tying 186 consecutive weeks. Her career spanned over two decades before she announced her retirement in September 2022.
Serena Williams – the brand ambassador
Serena Williams has been a brand ambassador making headlines throughout her career. She projected self-confidence and strength in everything she did, both on the court and in her personal life. Even after retiring from professional tennis, she remains a prominent figure sought after for endorsement and as a brand ambassador. She projects a strong personality that extends beyond her tennis achievements, encompassing business ventures, social impact, and strategic endorsements. Her transition away from professional tennis has allowed her to focus on expanding her influence in various sectors, particularly those promoting strength in self-care, diversity, and entrepreneurship.
In recent years, Serena has spoken candidly about her health. She shared the trauma of the complications during her pregnancies and postpartum. She’s talked about body image, self-confidence, and how hard it can be to prioritize self-care in a world that demands perfection. And in one of her most powerful moves, she became a voice in the conversation around GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy, for sustained weight management.
She has openly shared her personal experience using GLP-1s to achieve her health goals despite chronic health struggles. Most importantly, the campaign has focused on “destigmatizing” the use of weight loss medication. Serena didn’t just promote these treatments. She normalized them. She told the world that saying you need help isn’t a sign of weakness, but not taking help when it’s offered would be.
Her post-retirement activities have seen her engage in several notable partnerships and business ventures. Some of Serena Williams’ key brand ambassador roles and related business ventures include using her own experience in the use of the new GLP-1 wonder-drugs that produce sustained weight loss.
Williams has had a career-long association with Nike, which includes her Serena Williams Design Crew, an initiative focused on promoting diversity in design. She launched the WYN Beauty line in 2024, focusing on “makeup you can move in” with products formulated for deeper skin tones and a commitment to supporting maternal health. It was the same message behind her fashion line, S by Serena, which champions body positivity for all shapes and sizes. And it’s the guiding idea behind her beauty line, WYN Beauty, launched in 2024: makeup you can move in, created for all skin tones, designed to empower, not cover up.
Along with these health and self-image associations, Williams has been engaged by many up-market companies, endorsing products such as Rolex and Audemars Piguet watches, and JP Morgan Chase financial services.
Even after her retirement in 2022, Serena never stepped away from the spotlight. She simply chose a different kind of platform, one built not just on power, but on vulnerability and self-awareness.
But more than anything, Serena has used her voice to help shift the conversation, from what women should be, to what they already are.
How we can use Serena Williams as a personal role model
Breaking the stigma
We can be honest: managing health isn’t always pleasant. For so many women, the hardest part isn’t the diagnosis or the treatment, it’s the silence. Chronic conditions like PCOS, diabetes, and anxiety are too often wrapped in shame. But if someone like Serena Williams can speak up, so can we.
There is no admission of weakness in needing support. When Serena talked about her GLP-1 use, she didn’t just excuse it, she made it into a powerful statement. That kind of courage gives all of us permission to speak up, seek care, and stop apologizing for our health needs.
Strength in self-care
It’s easy to celebrate when you’re on a high. But real strength means being able to slow down long enough to listen to your body! Real strength means recognizing the signs, asking for help when it’s needed, and doing what it takes to keep going.
Whether it’s a daily pill, a weekly injection, or a morning routine built on rest and balance, self-care shouldn’t be optional. It’s a kind of quiet discipline, and it deserves just as much applause as victory and trophies.
Why trust and privacy matter
For most of us, some health topics feel private, even a little uncomfortable. Not everyone wants to walk into a local pharmacy and say out loud what they’re picking up. That’s where a partner like IsraelPharm makes all the difference.
From secure ordering to discreet courier delivery, IsraelPharm puts control back in the hands of the person managing their health. No judgment. No awkward moments. Just safe, supportive access to the treatments that keep things moving.
Making health more accessible
Access shouldn’t be a privilege. Everyone deserves to feel good and function well, no matter where they live or how much they can afford. That’s why IsraelPharm offers international delivery, affordable brand-name meds, and a clear commitment to service that doesn’t stop at the checkout.
This is about more than prescriptions. It’s about making health personal, possible, and something to be proud of.
Conclusion
Serena Williams didn’t just win championships, she redefined what power looks like. She turned vulnerability into strength, privacy into advocacy, and self-care into something worth celebrating.
That’s what IsraelPharm stands for too. We’re not just shipping packages, we’re walking alongside people who are doing the brave thing every day: choosing wellness.
- Health is personal. Access should be too.
- Trust matters, especially when it’s about the body.
- No shame. No pressure. Just care.
- Let’s make self-care something we don’t whisper about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really safe to order medicine online?
Yes, as long as it’s from a trusted, verified source like IsraelPharm. Trustworthy online pharmacies require prescriptions, offer pharmacist support, and are transparent about their pricing and licensing. Stick with names that put safety and discretion first. IsraelPharm, for example, offers secure ordering and an expert support team that you can reach out to, so you can feel confident that you are getting real medicine, not risky lookalikes.
Why are some online pharmacies so much cheaper than others?
It can come from two possibilities. Some online pharmacies are fronts for foreign sources (mostly in China and India) that are dumping drugs into the US because they can bypass the need for quality control. There’s no control over quality, strength or purity. IsraelPharm focuses on supplying only trusted brands at significantly lower prices by sourcing from regulated suppliers in Israel and abroad. Prices charged by pharmacies in Israel, including ours, are government controlled and are capped to prevent the type of runaway escalation that’s been going on in the U,S. for decades. You get access to the same high-quality medicines at a fraction of the U.S. cost, without sacrificing safety or service. This balance of affordability, professionalism, and dependable delivery makes IsraelPharm a competitive and trustworthy option for U.S. patients.
Can I get all types of prescriptions online?
Not always. IsraelPharm doesn’t sell some medications, especially controlled substances or narcotics, to online customers. They require in-person visits or stricter regulations. But most common prescriptions, including for chronic conditions or hormone therapies, can be filled online with a valid script. IsraelPharm helps people access what they need while staying compliant with international guidelines.
What makes a pharmacy like IsraelPharm different from other online sources?
IsraelPharm combines compassion with professionalism. We’re not just a delivery service. We are a support system, offering clear prices, licensed pharmacists, and real people to talk to. The discreet courier service and international reach make it easier for people to take care of themselves without stress or judgment.
How can I avoid scams when shopping for meds online?
Start by looking for red flags: no prescription required, no pharmacist contact, no listed address, or prices that feel suspiciously low. Stick with pharmacies that show you who they are and what they stand for. When in doubt, check reviews, ask questions, and never share personal info unless the site is verified and secure.
What if I’m embarrassed about the medication I need?
You’re not alone, and you don’t need to feel ashamed. Many people order sensitive treatments online because they want privacy. With a service like IsraelPharm, that’s exactly what you get: a trusted source that protects your dignity and your privacy while helping you feel better. No awkward pharmacy counter. Just care that comes straight to your door.
