Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have spent years entertaining us on the court, but who wins when it comes to the financial battle?
Sports stars earn millions in different avenues, prize money, sponsorships and endorsements or even guest appearances.
Wealthygorilla.com have compiled a list of the top 25 richest tennis players in the world, including former and current pros. The usual suspects are all present, but number one may come as a bit of a surprise.
The 25 richest tennis players in the world
25. Justine Henin $14 million
24. Victoria Azarenka $15 million
23. Martina Navratilova $15 million
22. Marat Safin $15 million
21. David Ferrer $16 million
20. Ana Ivanovic $16 million
19. Chris Evert $16 million
18. Jim Courier $18 million
17. Billie Jean King $20 million
16. Agnieszka Radwanska $25 million
15. Andy Roddick $30 million
14. Bjon Borg $40 million
13. Li Na $50 million
12. Anna Kournikova $50 million
11. Venus Williams $95 million
10. John McEnroe $100 million
You can’t be serious! Tennis Hall of Famer John McEnroe kicks off the top 10 on this list. His accumulated net worth hits the $100 million mark.
The seven-time Grand Slam winner will often be part of the BBC’s commentary team and was famous for his big hair and headband, as well as his clashes with referees!
9. Andy Murray $100 million
Britain’s greatest tennis player ended a 77-year drought for a home winner at Wimbledon in 2013doubling his tally three years later in 2016. He also won a US Open crown in 2012 to complete his Grand Slam hat-trick.
Murray is still competing, but the 35-year-old’s stint at the top of the game appears to have been cut short after being plagued with injury problems.
8. Maria Sharapova $135 million
Maria Sharapova burst onto the tennis scene at the age of 17 when she won it first Grand Slam title against the illustrious Serena Williams, beating the American in straight sets.
It wasn’t the career she would have hoped for as a successful teenager, in 2016 she was banned after fail a drug test which saw her banned for 15 months, tarnishing her reputation.
She then retired from the sport in 2020 as one of the game’s most famous stars.
7. Pete Sampras $150 million
Pete Sampras is already considered one of the greats of the game, he was ATP Player of the Year for six staggering consecutive years between 1993 and 1998.
The American was highly marketable, earning more than double his prize money from his endorsement deals and guest appearances.
6. Andre Agassi $175 million
Another American is in the top 10. Andre Agassi, the former world number 1, managed to win over $2 million in prize money after just two years as a professional.
He reached the Career Gold Slam, cementing his place as the Courts’ all-time great. Unfortunately for Agassi, he had to retire in 2006 due to back problems.
5. Serena Williams $180 million
Without a doubt the greatest tennis player of all time, Serena Williams has 23 Grand Slam titles to add to his plethora of other Olympic triumphs and medals as well as his double successes with his sister, Venus.
She is the highest ranking woman on this list, which is no surprise when she earns up to $20 million a year from her endorsements and endorsement deals.
4. Rafael Nadal $180 million
The King of Clay has to settle for a spot just outside the top three. He has 21 Grand Slams victories, including 13 at Roland Garros, showing his dominance on clay.
Nadal has won over $100 million in prize money which shows how dominant he has been in the sport for such a long time.
3. Novak Djokovic $200 million
It won’t be surprising to see this man in the top three. He is joint with Roger Federer on 20 Grand Slam wins in second place behind Nadal’s 21. He will surely go down as an all-time great.
The current world number 1 has recently sparked controversy after missing tournaments for his position on the Vaccine against covid19.
2. Roger Federer $450 million
Roger Federer is arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, however, the Swiss has to settle for second place on this list.
As one of the most successful players in history, it’s no surprise to see him so high.
He has his own clothing brand as well as being one of the most marketable sportsmen in the world, so it’s no surprise to see him so far ahead of third-placed Djokovic.
1. Ion Tiriac $2 billion
Who predicted this?! Ion Tiriac takes the top spot on this list by some margin.
His tennis career is probably the least inspiring of the 25 players mentioned, but he made his billions after hanging up his racquet.
The Romanian founded the private bank Banca Tiriac in 1990, earning his fortune in the process. In 2007, he became the first Romanian to appear on Forbes magazine’s list of billionaires.
