Carlos Alcaraz one-upped his biggest rival Novak Djokovic in Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes of 2024. The prodigal Spaniard earned a whopping $42.3 million over the last twelve months, making him the highest-paid tennis player of the year.
This is over five million dollars more than the earnings of the 37-year-old Serbian, who had a sensational 2023 season winning the Australian Open, French Open, and the US Open. Novak Djokovic reportedly made about $37.2 million through prize money as well as endorsements and sponsorships.
Throughout his unbelievable career that has spanned over 20 years, Djokovic has surprisingly been at the top of the tennis earnings leaderboard only once, in 2023, as Roger Federer consistently occupied the top spot during his playing days. Coco Gauff is the highest-paid female player, Rafael Nadal in the Top 10 despite being sidelined for most of the year Sponsorships and endorsements are the major sources of income for the top players, especially on the women’s side of the game due to pay disparity at many tournaments. Aryna Sabalenka recently raised concerns about unequal prize money for men and women at events outside of the Grand Slams.
Amidst their struggles to push for equal prize money, endorsements and sponsorships have helped the top female tennis players like Iga Swiatek , Coco Gauff and Sabalenka keep up with the men in terms of overall earnings. Gauff has pipped Swiatek to become the highest-paid female tennis player. She is also ahead of the men’s No.
1 Jannik Sinner , who is fifth on the list. Surprisingly, Naomi Osaka , one of the top earners of 2021 and 2022, made the list again this year despite missing the entire 2023 season due to pregnancy. Sabalenka completed the Top 10 as the fourth and final woman.
Amongst the six men in the top 10 earners in tennis is Rafael Nadal , who made it largely due to his deals with Nike, Babolat, Swiss luxury watch brand Richard Mille, and Korean car manufacturer Kia. The Spaniard did not earn a lot of money on the court as has been sidelined for long periods recently due to injuries. Surprisingly, Casper Ruud , who trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy, also made the cut despite having no major titles to his name yet.
2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev has also fared well, placing seventh on the list due to his consistent performances at hard court events and deals with the likes of BMW, Swiss luxury watch brand Bovet, Lacoste, and Tecnifiber. Here is the list of the top ten highest-paid tennis players put together by Forbes : This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission..
