MS Dhoni ranks 16th on Forbes' list of 100 highest-paid athletes

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, with earnings of USD 31.5 million, has been ranked at 16th place on Forbes' list of 100 highest-paid athletes, which has been topped by iconic golfer Tiger Woods.

The magazine said 31-year-old Dhoni moved up 15 positions this year. In 2012, he was placed at 31st position.

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The influential business magazine estimated that Dhoni made USD 31.5 million over the last year from prize money and endorsements.

MS Dhoni has beaten the likes of Sachhin Tendulkar, Novak Djokovic and Usain Bolt to be ranked 16th in the list of the world's richest athletes.

Dhoni pipped the likes of 'Sprint King' Usain Bolt, tennis ace Novak Djokovic and teammate Sachin Tendulkar in the list.

Tendulkar who was ranked 78th last year has moved up to 31st with an annual earning of $22 million. He is the 2nd Indian to make it to top 50 after Dhoni.

37-year-old Woods of America made USD 78.1 million followed by Swiss Tennis star Roger Federer at USD 71.5 million.

Kobe Bryant, American professional basketball player, is third at USD 61.9 million.

Federer, 31, had topped the 2012 list.

Other celebrity sportspersons in top 50 of include Ferrari's Fernando Alonso (19), golfer Rory McIlroy (21), Lewis Hamilton (26), Novak Djokovic (28), Rafael Nadal (30) and Usain Bolt (40).

This year's list features just three women led by tennis ace Maria Sharapova, who ranks No 22 with earnings of USD 29 million. Sharapova is joined by No 68 Serena Williams, who raked in USD 20.5 million, including USD 8.5 million in prize money. China's Li Na, meanwhile, ranks 85th overall with earnings of USD 18.2 million.u00a0