• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

Tennis’ Top Stars Cash In Mostly Off the Court

  • The biggest stars in tennis make the large majority of their money through sponsorships, investments, and other off-court activity.
  • Roger Federer made $90 million in the last year off-court and $600,000 in tournament winnings.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Collectively, Roger Federer, Naomi Osaka, and Serena Williams have earned $192.5 million over the last year — yet, only a small fraction of their income has come from playing tennis.

According to Forbes, tennis’ top six earners since the start of the 2020 U.S. Open  brought in $283.5 million, only $20.5 million (7.2%) of which was made on the court.

  • Roger Federer topped the list with $90.6 million in earnings — $90 million from off-court activities. He invested $54 million in the shoe company On, which may IPO later this year. 
  • Naomi Osaka ($60.1 million) and Serena Williams ($41.8 million) were the second- and third-highest earners. Of the $101.9 million they earned, only $6.9 million came from tournament winnings.
  • Kei Nishikori, Japan’s top-ranked player, benefitted from the Tokyo Olympics this year, earning $25 million in sponsorships on top of $1 million in tournament winnings.

The sport is top-heavy when it comes to earnings: Only seven players made over $10 million in the last 12 months. The 10th-highest earner, top-ranked women’s player Ashleigh Barty, earned $5.8 million in total.

The U.S. Open, which began on Monday, has a record prize pool of $57.5 million. That sum will be more evenly distributed than in previous years, with each singles’ winner pocketing $2.5 million — a 35% drop from 2019. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Tennis Hall of Fame Rejects Bill Ackman’s $10M Gift

The Hall of Fame said it wants to avoid “any perception of impropriety.”
Wyndham Clark

Oakmont Bans Golfer Wyndham Clark After Locker Room Rampage

He’ll have to donate and seek treatment to get reinstated.

Bill Ackman to Give $10M to Tennis Hall of Fame After Tournament..

Ackman defended the decision and closed with a challenge to Andy Roddick.

Sinner Outduels Alcaraz for First Wimbledon Title and $4M Payday

The best two players in men’s tennis battled once again.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bradley Beal
exclusive
July 17, 2025

‘Brad Doesn’t Like Change’: Beal Agent Says He Wants Long-Term Clippers Deal

Beal agreed to a contract buyout with the Suns on Wednesday.
July 17, 2025

T.J. Watt Becomes NFL’s Highest-Paid Non-QB

Watt’s new Steelers contract comes with $108 million fully guaranteed.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Oct 13, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya poses for a photo with the time clock after finishing first in the women’s race, setting a new world record at 2:09:56 during the Chicago Marathon at Grant Park.
July 17, 2025

Kenyan Whose Record Shocked Running World Suspended for Drugs

Her drug test showed levels 190 times above the allowed amount.
Collins
July 17, 2025

NFL Second-Round Impasse May End As Niners Give Pick $9M Guaranteed

The contract isn’t fully guaranteed like the earlier second-rounder deals.
Caitlin Clark
July 17, 2025

Caitlin Clark Out for WNBA All-Star Game, 3-Point Contest With Injury

Clark and Satou Sabally will miss the game with injuries.
Apr 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center.
July 16, 2025

Bradley Beal Agrees to Suns Buyout, Will Join Clippers

Beal is the latest star player to leave Phoenix behind Kevin Durant.