By Terri Washington @Terri7589 on December 24, 2014
Top 15 Female Athletes of 2014
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Although women’s sports are not talked about nearly as much as men’s sports, female athletes still do great things. In 2014, there were female athletes that broke records, won championships and made names for themselves. These are the top 15 female athletes of 2014.
15. Alex Morgan
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15. Alex Morgan
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Alex Morgan is one of the most popular female soccer players today. Her 2015 will bring a ton of attention to the United States National Women’s Soccer team in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
14. Becky Hammon
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14. Becky Hammon
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Becky Hammon made headlines by becoming the first female coach in the NBA. She retired from a great career in the WNBA to join the coaching staff of the San Antonio Spurs. Hammon was named ESPNW’s Woman of the Year for 2014.
13. Danica Patrick
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13. Danica Patrick
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Danica Patrick’s NASCAR success is non-existent, but she remains one of the most recognizable female athletes today. She’s the only woman who can roll with the men in her sport, which not only makes her a top earning female athlete, but a top female athlete as well.
12. Hope Solo
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12. Hope Solo
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Hope Solo recorded two legendary performances in 2014. In June 2014, Solo tied the record for career shutouts with 71 for team USA. She set a new record for shutouts in September with 72.
11. Li Na
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Li Na is one of the highest earning female athletes of 2014. She is the first ever Asian tennis player to win a Grand Slam Title, and she now has two of them.
10. Lindsey Vonn
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10. Lindsey Vonn
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Lindsey Vonn has become one of the most popular female athletes. She is by far one of the most well known skiers in the world. Her 2014 was plagued with injuries keeping her out of the Winter Olympics, but she became a correspondent during the Olympics for NBC.
9. Lolo Jones
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9. Lolo Jones
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Lolo Jones’ 2014 season wasn’t filled with great accomplishments, but it was filled with tons of media coverage. She competed in the Winter Olympics in bobsledding and was the first celebrity eliminated on Dancing with the Stars, but if people didn’t know Jones, they definitely do after 2014.
8. Maria Sharapova
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8. Maria Sharapova
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Maria Sharapova is not only a top female athlete, she is one of the highest paid athletes of 2014. Sharapova’s earnings may stem from her sponsorships and modeling deals, but she is one of the most well known female athletes in the world.
7. Miesha Tate
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7. Miesha Tate
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Miesha Tate’s 2014 saw her climbing up the rankings of female mixed martial artists. As of April, Tate was ranked at number two in official UFC women’s rankings.
6. Candace Parker
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6. Candace Parker
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Candace Parker received her third consecutive All-WNBA First Team selection for 2014. She was also named a starter in the WNBA All Star game for the third time. She even led her team, the Los Angeles Sparks, to the WNBA Finals in 2014.
5. Ronda Rousey
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5. Ronda Rousey
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Ronda Rousey has an undefeated in mixed martial arts record. She shot to fame in 2014 because of both her fighting and her big screen talent. She appeared in the third installment of the Expendables movies and it was announced she will appear in the seventh installment of the Fast & Furious franchise.
4. Skylar Diggins
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4. Skylar Diggins
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Skylar Diggins became a WNBA All-Star for the first time in her career in 2014. She was also honored with the WNBA’s Most Improved Player Award.
3. Venus Williams
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3. Venus Williams
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The older of the famous sisters, Venus Williams is, arguably, just as talented as her sister. She continues playing in Grand Slam tournaments.
2. Brittney Griner
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2. Brittney Griner
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Brittney Griner had a historic 2014. Griner not only won a WNBA Championship with the Phoenix Mercury, but she won defensive player of the year and became the first WNBA player to ever dunk a basketball twice in a game.
1. Serena Williams
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1. Serena Williams
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Serena Williams is one of the greatest female tennis players of all time. She is incredibly marketable, beautiful and talented. She is, by far, the top female athlete of 2014.
Terri Washington is a Los Angeles Clippers writer for www.RantSports.com . Follow her on Twitter @Terri7589 , “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google