The world of professional tennis is not just defined by fierce rallies, dramatic tie-breaks, and the relentless pursuit of Grand Slam glory. It’s also a stage where athletic excellence translates into staggering fortunes, as the sport’s biggest stars rake in millions both on and off the court. As the 2025 US Open unfolds in New York, the conversation around tennis’s wealthiest and highest-earning players is heating up, with new faces breaking through and legends continuing to dominate the financial leaderboard.
At the pinnacle of tennis wealth stands Novak Djokovic, whose career earnings have soared to over £138 million, securing his spot as the richest tennis player in 2025. Djokovic’s two-decade reign in the sport is nothing short of legendary: 24 Grand Slam singles titles, a record 428 cumulative weeks as world No. 1, and the distinction of being the only player in history to win all nine active ATP Masters tournaments. “He’s the only player to complete the Career Grand Slam three times,” notes Forbes, a feat that cements his place in tennis lore. Even at 38, Djokovic is seeded seventh at the 2025 US Open and remains a formidable contender, with last year’s earnings alone totaling $37.2 million—$25 million of which came from endorsements with brands like Joe and the Juice, Asics, Lacoste, and Qatar Airways.
Yet, Djokovic is not the only one cashing in on tennis’s global appeal. The new generation is making waves, both on court and in the bank. Carlos Alcaraz, just 22 years old, has already amassed career earnings of £33,036,786. His 2024 income topped $42.3 million, making him the highest-paid tennis player of the year according to Forbes. Alcaraz’s rapid ascent is backed by historic achievements: he’s the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces and the youngest to reach the ATP world No. 1 ranking. Seeded second at the US Open, the Spaniard’s 2025 season includes a French Open title and a finals appearance at Wimbledon, where he narrowly lost to Italy’s Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz’s off-court portfolio is just as impressive, with partnerships with Rolex, BMW, Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Evian, plus a starring role in his own Netflix docuseries, “Carlos Alcaraz: My Way.”
Speaking of Sinner, the 24-year-old Italian is enjoying a breakout year. With back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2024 and 2025, a Wimbledon crown this summer, and a runner-up finish at the French Open, Sinner is currently ranked No. 1 by the ATP and holds the top seed at the US Open. His 2024 earnings reached $26.6 million, split between $11.6 million in prize money and $15 million in endorsements with Nike, La Roche Posay, Lavazza, and Gucci. Sinner’s rise is a testament to the sport’s changing guard, as younger players challenge the established elite for both trophies and paychecks.
On the women’s side, the financial stakes are equally high. Coco Gauff, only 21, was the highest-paid American tennis player in 2024, earning $27.1 million. Her breakthrough victory at the 2023 US Open was followed by a French Open title in 2025, and she enters this year’s US Open as the third seed. Gauff’s commercial appeal is soaring, thanks to deals with New Balance, Bose, UPS, and Naked Juice, and the launch of her own business venture, Coco Gauff Enterprises, in partnership with WME.
Not far behind is Iga Swiatek, the 24-year-old Polish star who has won four French Opens, the 2022 US Open, and Wimbledon in 2025. Swiatek’s 2024 earnings reached $26.7 million, with major sponsorships from Lancôme, On, Rolex, Visa, and Tecnifibre. She’s currently seeded second at the US Open and remains a dominant force on the WTA Tour.
Veteran stars are also holding their own in the earnings race. Naomi Osaka, despite recent injury setbacks, remains a commercial powerhouse, pulling in $14.6 million in 2024—just $600,000 from prize money and the rest from lucrative partnerships with Maybelline, Etsy, Nike, and her media company Hana Kumo. Osaka is seeded 23rd at the US Open and continues to inspire with her off-court ventures and loyal fan base.
Among the men, Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner have both crossed the £30 million mark in career earnings, with Zverev’s 23 ATP titles and Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 highlighting his résumé. Stefanos Tsitsipas, another top earner with £25,660,334, has reached Grand Slam finals multiple times and remains a regular fixture in the ATP top 10. Stan Wawrinka, with £27,770,914 in earnings, is celebrated for his 2015 French Open win and his reputation as a true challenger to the Big Three’s dominance.
Marin Cilic, Grigor Dimitrov, and Andrey Rublev round out the list of tennis’s richest, each with over £20 million in career earnings. Cilic’s 2014 US Open triumph remains a career highlight, while Dimitrov and Rublev continue to impress with their consistency and aggressive playing styles.
Casper Ruud, seeded 12th at the US Open, is another player to watch. Despite missing Wimbledon due to a knee injury, Ruud placed second in mixed doubles at the 2025 US Open and earned $13.9 million in 2024, with endorsements from Samsonite, Vitamin Well, Fleming, Yonex, and Varsity Headwear.
Let’s not forget Rafael Nadal, who retired in 2024 at age 38. Nadal remains one of the sport’s all-time greats, completing the career Golden Slam and amassing over $120 million in prize money. In his final full year, he earned $23.3 million, mostly from off-court deals with Kia, Louis Vuitton, Nike, and Playtomic.
On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka—No. 1 in the world by the WTA and top seed at the US Open—earned $13.7 million in 2024 after winning both the US Open and Australian Open that year. Her partnerships with Wilson, Nike, and Audemars Piguet are a testament to her growing global appeal.
The 2025 US Open, running from August 19 to September 7, has once again brought together the sport’s brightest stars, each vying for glory and a share of the sport’s vast riches. With rising participation—nearly 2 million more players in the US alone from 2023 to 2024—the future of tennis looks both competitive and lucrative.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the courts of Flushing Meadows. Will the established champions extend their legacies, or will a new generation seize the spotlight and the spoils? One thing’s for sure: in tennis, excellence brings not just trophies, but untold wealth and global recognition.
