New York (CNN Business) There are many ways to measure Maria Sharapova's success: Five grand slam titles, 36 career wins, a former No. 1 ranking in the world. But those impressive achievements don't match up with the success she accumulated in her bank account.

Sharapova, who announced her retirement Wednesday at the age of 32, leaves as one of the top-earning athletes in her sport, male or female, and one of the richest female athletes in history.

Her career earnings on the court reached $38.8 million, according to the Women's Tennis Association. That makes her the third-highest earning female athlete ever after Serena Williams and her sister Venus. Their winnings stand at $92.7 million and $41.8 million, respectively. While No. 4 earner Simona Halep, at $36.5 million, is likely to pass Sharapova soon, she is expected to stay among the top 10 earning women tennis players for the immediate future, given how many top positions on the earnings list are held by retired players.

And tennis is the most lucrative sport for women players. The top career earner in the Ladies Professional Golf Association history is Annika Sorenstam, who earned $22.6 million before she retired 12 years ago.

Sharapova's earnings are also among the highest in her sport. Only five men -- Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Pete Sampras -- have made more.

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