Male Tennis Players With the Highest Career Earnings: Tennis is a popular and well-paying sport, and it attracts great players from all over the world. Some male tennis players have earned a lot of money through winning tournaments, getting endorsements, and other opportunities.
Novak Djokovic is the player who has won the most money in tennis, with over 180 million U.S. dollars throughout his career. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who are also tennis legends, are in the second and third positions in terms of career earnings.
Male Tennis Players With the Highest Career Earnings
Now, let’s take a look at the top 10 male tennis players who have made the most money in their careers.
1. Novak Djokovic
- Prize Money: $181,599,018
- Country: Serbia
- Career-Ending: Active
Djokovic has earned almost $180 million in his tennis career, making him the highest-earning player in the sport’s history.
Besides his on-court winnings, Djokovic has earned money from endorsements, appearances, licensing, and memorabilia. Forbes estimates that he made over $20 million in the last year alone from these sources.
Djokovic is not just about making money; he also invests in his foundation, the Djokovic Foundation. This foundation works on projects related to early childhood education in Serbia.
2. Rafael Nadal
- Prize Money: $134,640,719
- Country: Spain
- Career-Ending: Active
Nadal has won more than $134.6 million in prize money throughout his tennis career, making him the second-highest male earner in history after Novak Djokovic. He’s considered one of the most successful players in the sport’s long history.
In the previous year, Nadal had a memorable season. He secured his 14th French Open title and won his second Australian Open, bringing his total major singles titles to 22.
However, his performance hit a snag when he had to withdraw from Wimbledon due to an injury, and Frances Tiafoe ended his US Open run. Since then, Nadal has faced challenges on the tour, not playing since his Australian Open defense in January. On May 18, he announced that he would miss the French Open for the first time in his senior professional career due to a lingering hip injury.
There have been discussions about Nadal possibly retiring in 2024 if his injury issues persist. Despite being 36 years old, Nadal seems eager to continue playing for as long as he can, potentially adding more to his impressive earnings.
3. Roger Federer
- Prize Money: $130,594,339
- Country: Switzerland
- Career-Ending: 2022
Roger Federer, a Swiss tennis legend, has earned $131 million in prize money since turning pro in 1998, ranking third in ATP Tour history. However, his off-court earnings are exceptional, reaching an estimated $1 billion from endorsements and business ventures, making him a top earner in sports.
Federer consistently secures high off-court earnings, with $90 million annually, placing him ahead of other athletes. Despite a modest $700,000 in prize money in 2022, he ranked seventh on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes.
Federer’s career earnings before taxes and agents’ fees surpass $1.1 billion, more than double Nadal and Djokovic. He joins a select group of athletes, including LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo, to exceed $1 billion while still active.
Federer’s enduring endorsement deals with brands like Credit Suisse, Lindt, Mercedes, and Rolex contribute to his financial success. In 2018, he made a significant move by signing a $300 million, ten-year apparel deal with Uniqlo. Even in exhibition events and smaller tournaments, Federer could command $2 million per appearance when healthy.
4. Andy Murray
- Prize Money: $64,246,026
- Country: United Kingdom
- Career-Ending: Active
Andy Murray, the British tennis pro, has a successful career with substantial earnings. His total prize money earnings amount to an impressive $64,246,026, ranking him among the highest-earning male tennis players.
In 2009, Murray inked a lucrative five-year deal with German brand Adidas worth £30 million. This deal covered him wearing their tennis shoes while allowing him to retain sponsorships with Shiatzy Chen, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Highland Spring on his shirt sleeves. Before joining Adidas, Murray sported Fred Perry apparel.
After parting ways with Adidas, Murray entered a four-year partnership with Under Armour in December 2014, reportedly valued at $25 million. Later, he signed with Castore for the 2019 season, which Murray described as his final deal before discussing retirement. Additionally, Murray is associated with Head rackets and has been featured in advertisements for the brand.
5. Pete Sampras
- Prize Money: $43,280,489
- Country: United States
- Career-Ending: 2002
Pete Sampras, an iconic American tennis player, is among the top earners in the history of male tennis. Across his remarkable career, Sampras achieved an impressive $43,280,489 in earnings.
His substantial prize money came from stellar performances in major tennis tournaments, including Grand Slams, ATP Tour events, and the Olympics. Notable achievements, like his record seven Wimbledon titles and five US Open victories, played a crucial role in building his substantial earnings.
In addition to his on-court success, Sampras secured significant income through endorsement deals with major brands like Nike, Wilson, and Mastercard. His popularity and achievements made him a sought-after ambassador.
Pete Sampras’s career earnings reflect his extraordinary talent, commitment, and success in tennis. His legacy, both in achievements and financial standing, serves as an inspiration to aspiring tennis players worldwide.
6. Alexander Zverev
- Prize Money: $40,014,770
- Country: Germany
- Career-Ending: Active
Alexander Zverev has achieved an impressive $37,830,158 in career prize money, solidifying his position among the highest-earning male tennis players.
His earnings primarily come from participating in various tennis events, including Grand Slams, ATP Tour tournaments, and the Olympics. Key victories, such as winning the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, securing titles at the 2018 and 2021 ATP Finals, and finishing as the runner-up at the 2020 US Open, have played a significant role in his substantial prize money.
In addition to his on-court success, Zverev has boosted his wealth through endorsement deals with major brands. His popularity and achievements make him a sought-after ambassador for companies like Nike, Rolex, and Head.
7. Daniil Medvedev
- Prize Money: $39,301,567
- Country: Russia
- Career-Ending: Active
Daniil Medvedev has amassed an impressive $35,840,061 in career prize money, establishing himself among the highest-earning male tennis players.
His earnings primarily come from active participation in various tennis tournaments, spanning Grand Slams, ATP Tour events, and Davis Cup competitions. Key victories, including his 2021 US Open title, 2020 ATP Finals title, and five other Masters 1000 titles, have significantly contributed to his substantial prize money.
Medvedev has built considerable wealth through endorsement deals with various brands. His popularity and achievements make him a sought-after ambassador for companies such as Lacoste, Tecnifibre, and BMW.
8. Stan Wawrinka
- Prize Money: $36,558,554
- Country: Switzerland
- Career-Ending: Active
Stan Wawrinka, the Swiss tennis player, has amassed a total career earnings of $36,558,554, securing the 7th position among the highest-earning male tennis players.
Wawrinka’s prize money has primarily come from his active participation in various tennis tournaments, spanning Grand Slams, ATP Tour events, and the Olympics. Key victories, including titles at the 2014 Australian Open, the 2015 French Open, and the 2016 US Open, have significantly contributed to his substantial earnings.
In addition to his on-court success, Wawrinka has built considerable wealth through endorsement deals with various brands. His popularity and achievements have made him an attractive ambassador for companies such as Yonex, Oakley, and Emirates.
9. David Ferrer
- Prize Money: $31,483,911
- Country: Spain
- Career-Ending: 2019
David Ferrer, the retired Spanish tennis player, has amassed a total career earnings of $31,483,911, positioning him among the highest-earning male tennis players.
Ferrer’s career spanned over two decades, marked by numerous victories, including 27 ATP singles titles, 5 Masters 1000 titles, and a career-high ranking of world No. 3. While he didn’t secure any Grand Slam titles, Ferrer is widely recognized as one of the greatest clay-court players.
His prize money earnings primarily came from active participation in various tennis tournaments, covering Grand Slams, ATP Tour events, and Davis Cup competitions. Consistent performances throughout his career contributed significantly to his prize money.
Ferrer achieved substantial wealth through endorsement deals with various brands. His popularity and achievements made him a sought-after ambassador for companies like Nike, Babolat, and Banco Sabadell.
10. Marin Čilić
- Prize Money: $31,207,381
- Country: Croatia
- Career-Ending: Active
Marin Čilić has achieved a total career earnings of $31,207,381, securing his position among the top 10 highest-earning male tennis players of all time.
His career earnings primarily come from active participation in various tennis tournaments, covering Grand Slams, ATP Tour events, and Davis Cup competitions. Notable victories, including his 2014 US Open title, runner-up finishes at the 2017 Wimbledon Championships and the 2018 Australian Open, and a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, have significantly contributed to his substantial prize money.
In addition to his on-court success, Čilić has built considerable wealth through endorsement deals with various brands. His popularity and achievements make him a sought-after ambassador for companies such as Nike, Head, and Peugeot.
