2015 was a great year to be a professional tennis player. In our list we’ll count down the top 10 highest earning tennis pros.
Most players make serious dosh from their various endorsements with actual winnings, in most cases accounting for a small fraction of their income. The combined total income of the top 10 is a staggering $255.7m. WOW!
#10 Caroline Wozniacki
While 2015 was considered a bad playing year for Caroline Wozniacki, the Danish professional tennis player is still a former world WTA No 1 and was the first woman from a Scandinavian country to hold the top ranking position.
Wozniacki has won 25 WTA singles titles, won the 2006 Wimbledon Girls’ Singles title and also holds two WTA titles in doubles.
She has sponsorship agreements with Compeed, Rolex, Danske Invest, Sony Ericsson, Babolat and e-Boks, and more, with endorsements deals accounting for about 90% of her income.
Endorsements: $9.5 million // Prize Money: $1.3 million
Total: $10.8 million
#9 Kei Nishikori
Currently ranked world No 5 by the ATP, Kei Nishikori, is a Japanese professional tennis player. He is the only male Japanese tennis player ever to be ranked inside the top 10 in singles.
He has racked up 11 singles titles and was the first Asian male to reach a Grand Slam singles final. Kei also became the first Asian male to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals. In March 2015 he reached his career high singles ranking of world No 4.
In addition to deals with the likes of Wilson and EA Games, Kei is also sponsored by TAG Heuer, LVMH Moët Hennessy, Delta Air Lines and more.
Endorsements: $2 million // Prize Money: $9 million
Total: $11 million
#8 Victoria Azarenka
While Belarusian tennis player Victória Azárenka may still be under 30, she is a former women’s world No 1 with an impressive career!
She has won two Australian Open singles titles (2012 and 2013), becoming the only Belarusian player, male or female, to win a Grand Slam singles title. Her other achievements include winning the singles Bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, two mixed doubles Grand Slam titles.
Endorsement partners include Nike, Wilson, American Express and Citizen Watch. Red Bull, in 2013 entered into a deal with Azarenka, making her the first tennis player sponsor for the beverage and sports investment giant.
Endorsements: $7.5 million // Prize Money: $3.6 million
Total: $11.1 million
#7 Andy Murray
Andy Murray is a three-time Grand Slam tournament winner, two-time Olympic champion, and Davis Cup champion.
His winnings are dwarfed by endorse deals which include a four-year-deal with Under Armour, worth a reported $25 million. Murray uses Head rackets, and regularly appears in advertisements for the brand. Off court, he has invested in a Hotel and crowd-funding platform.
Endorsements: $15 million // Prize Money: $4.1 million
Total: $19.2 million
#6 Serena Williams
Ranked WTA world No 1 in singles on six separate occasions, Serena Williams numerous accomplishments and success in professional tennis have led many to regard her as the greatest female tennis player of all time. She has also seen great success in doubles with sister Venus.
As well as notching up the wins, Williams has set of endorsement deals to match. With companies such as Delta Air Lines, Audemars Piguet, Aston Martin, Pepsi, Beats by Dre headphones, Mini and many more, all contributing to her income.
Endorsements: $11 million // Prize Money: $11 million
Total: $22 million
#5 Li Na
Recently retired, Li Na won nine WTA singles titles, including two Grand Slam singles titles at the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open and achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 2 on the WTA Tour on 17 February 2014. Her feats have sparked a major population growth of tennis players in East Asia, earning her the reputation as the region’s tennis pioneer and trailblazer.
While 2015 could be last big earner, Li is the second highest earning female on our list with endorsements, which include deals with Nike and Babolat.
Endorsements: $18 million // Prize Money: $5.6 million
Total: $23.6 million
#4 Maria Sharapova
While born in Russia, Maria Sharapova now lives and trains in the US having become a resident in 1994. She was ranked world #1 at the age of 18 and has won at least one singles title a year from 2003 until 2015. Sharapova’s tennis success has enabled her to secure endorsements that greatly exceed the value of her winnings.
Sharapova signed a three-year deal to be brand ambassador for Porsche in 2013. She also well respected as a fashion designer, with partnerships with Nike and Cole Haan, which also add to her earnings.
Endorsements: $22 million // Prize Money: $2.4 million
Total: $24.4 million
#3 Novak Djokovic
Currently ranked world # 2 in men’s singles, Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player who is currently coached by former Slovak tennis player Marián Vajda. Djokovic holds the best match winning rate (83.00%) in Open Era.
2015 continued to be a great year for Novak, clocking up another four Masters title and bring the total to 24. Djokovic then went on to claim his 3rd Wimbledown title with a four set win over Roger Federer. He also became the first player to win four consecutive end-of-year finals tournaments.
The impressive lists of wins account for $12.1m in income. The other two thirds of Novak’s earnings coming from deals with Peugeot, Seiko, Jacob’s Creek and more.
Endorsements: $21 Million // Prize Money: $12.1 million
Total: $33.1 million
#2 Rafael Nadal
Coming in at 2, Rafael Nadal is widely regarded as the greatest clay-court player in history. The Spanish professional tennis player is one of only two male players in history who have won at least two Grand Slam titles on three different surfaces—hard court, grass, and clay.
While 2015 wasn’t his greatest playing year, Nadel did manage to earn the most in winning of any in the top 10. That said, winnings only accounted for a third of his income. The rest came from endorsements including deals with Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans.
Endorsements: $30 million // Prize Money: $14.5 million
Total: $44.5 million
#1 Roger Federer
Roger Federer, is considered by most to the one of the all time greatest tennis players. The Swiss tennis player is the only male player to win five consecutive US Open titles as well as holding many other notable records. He has reached 27 men’s singles Grand Slam finals, with 10 of these in a row!
2015 saw Federer’s 1000th career win as well as becoming only the 4th person since 1991 to surpass 9,000 career aces. As well as winning 6 single titles, Federer also beat both Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in straight sets – another record.
The bulk of his income is from endorsements, with deals with the likes of Nike, Rolex, Mercedes-Benz amongst many others.
Endorsements: $52 million // Prize Money: $4.2 million
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