Roger Federer Highest-Paid Tennis Player Despite No Winnings

Roger Federer is the world’s highest-paid tennis player for the 17th year in a row — despite not making a single dime on the court over the last year.

Federer hasn’t played a competitive match in nearly 14 months, but the Swiss athlete has still banked $90 million in off-court earnings. That puts him ahead of the world’s other top tennis stars by more than $30 million and makes him the only player in the top 10 to earn solely from off-court opportunities.

Naomi Osaka made her way to second on Forbes list, bringing in $1.2 million on the court and $55 million off. She’s followed by Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

• Williams: $35.1 million ($100,000 on; $35 million off)
• Nadal: $31.4 million ($6.4 million on; $25 million off)
• Djokovic: $27.1 million ($7.1 million on; $20 million off)

The list was rounded out by top 10 first-timer Emma Raducanu ($21.1 million), Daniil Medvedev ($19.3 million), Kei Nishikori ($13.2 million), Venus Williams ($12 million), and Carlos Alcaraz ($10.9 million). 

Together, the group made an estimated $316 million, just short of last year’s $320 million, but a significant decline from 2020’s $343 million. 

Changing of the Guard

Four of the list’s players are under the age of 30, and the older stars are on their way out. Serena Williams (40) recently announced she would soon retire, and Nadal (36) has acknowledged his own possible retirement following an injury.