Roger Federer, the Swiss maestro renowned for his elegance on and off the court, has reached yet another historic milestone—this time, far from the baseline. As of August 24, 2025, Federer has officially joined the exclusive billionaire athletes’ club, becoming just the seventh sports figure in history to achieve this lofty status, according to Forbes estimates. It’s a feat that speaks volumes about his enduring influence, both as a champion and as a global icon.
Federer’s journey to billionaire status is a testament to his remarkable foresight and business acumen. While his 20 Grand Slam titles and artistry with a racket have captivated millions, it’s his off-court ventures that have truly set him apart. The lion’s share of his $1.1 billion net worth comes not from prize money—where he trails rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal—but from a shrewd investment in the Swiss shoe and apparel company On. This minority stake has ballooned in value, propelling Federer into the financial stratosphere and establishing him as a model for athletes seeking longevity beyond their playing days.
"Having collected around $1 billion in off-court endeavors during his playing career, Federer was tennis’ highest-paid player for 16 straight years despite earning less in prize money than rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal," Forbes noted. It’s a staggering statistic—sixteen consecutive years atop the earnings list, a streak unmatched in tennis history. In 2020 alone, Federer raked in $106.3 million before tax, outpacing every other athlete on the planet that year. That haul included endorsements from the likes of Rolex, Uniqlo, and Wilson, as well as lucrative exhibition matches and appearance fees that kept his star power shining even as injuries curtailed his tournament schedule.
Federer’s ascent to the billionaire club places him alongside some of the most legendary names in sports. He is only the second tennis player to reach this summit, following in the footsteps of Romanian Ion Țiriac, a former French Open men’s doubles champion who parlayed his on-court success into a fortune through savvy investments after the fall of communism. The rest of this rarefied group reads like a who’s who of sporting royalty: basketball icons Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, and Junior Bridgeman, as well as golf’s Tiger Woods. Notably, LeBron James and Tiger Woods are the only two to have crossed the billion-dollar threshold while still actively competing.
Federer’s story is all the more remarkable considering the prize money gap with his greatest rivals. Despite being tennis’s highest-paid player for over a decade and a half, he earned less in tournament winnings than Djokovic and Nadal. Yet, his ability to transcend the sport and appeal to sponsors worldwide has paid off handsomely. As Federer himself once said, "You have to believe in the long-term vision. The short-term can be rocky, but if you invest in the right people and ideas, it pays off." That vision has now made him a billionaire.
While Federer’s legacy continues to grow in retirement, the new generation of tennis stars is making waves both on the court and at the bank. Forbes has named Carlos Alcaraz the highest-paid active tennis player for the second consecutive year, with a staggering $48.3 million earned over the past 12 months. The 21-year-old Spaniard has become the face of a new era, combining explosive athleticism with a marketable charisma that sponsors adore. Only Federer, Djokovic, and Naomi Osaka have ever earned more in a single year, underscoring Alcaraz’s meteoric rise.
Hot on Alcaraz’s heels is Italy’s Jannik Sinner, the current men’s world No. 1. Sinner pulled in $47.3 million, nearly doubling his previous year’s total of $26.6 million. Of that, $20.3 million came directly from prize money—a figure that ranks as the third-highest single-year total in tennis history, trailing only the best years of Novak Djokovic. Sinner’s rivalry with Alcaraz is quickly becoming the sport’s most compelling storyline, and their financial success mirrors their growing dominance on the court.
In a refreshing twist, the top three earners in tennis this year—Alcaraz, Sinner, and American sensation Coco Gauff—are all under 30 years old. It’s the first time since 2010, when Federer, Maria Sharapova, and Nadal led the list, that such a youthful trio has topped the earnings charts. Gauff, just 21, brought in $37.2 million, making her the highest-paid female athlete in the world over the last 12 months. Her blend of on-court poise and off-court activism has endeared her to fans and brands alike, signaling a bright future for the women’s game.
Altogether, tennis’s top 10 highest-paid players amassed a combined $285 million this year, marking a 16 percent increase from last year’s total. While that’s a robust figure, it still falls short of the $343 million record set in 2020, a year when Federer’s earnings reached their zenith. The uptick, however, signals renewed commercial interest in the sport and a growing appetite for its next generation of stars.
It’s worth noting how the financial landscape of tennis has shifted. For years, the sport’s biggest earners were established veterans, but now, the torch has clearly been passed to a younger cohort. Alcaraz, Sinner, and Gauff are not just winning matches—they’re redefining what it means to be a tennis superstar in the modern era. Their success on the court is matched by their appeal off it, with sponsors eager to align with fresh faces and dynamic personalities.
As for Federer, his place in history is secure. He’s not just a champion of the sport, but a trailblazer for athletes seeking to build lasting legacies beyond their playing days. His investment in On has become a case study in athlete entrepreneurship, and his ability to remain relevant in a rapidly changing sports world is nothing short of extraordinary. Federer’s journey from the courts of Basel to the billionaire’s club is a story of vision, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
With the sport’s financial future looking brighter than ever, and a new wave of stars rising to prominence, tennis fans have plenty to cheer about. Whether Federer’s record as the sport’s wealthiest icon will be challenged by the likes of Alcaraz, Sinner, or Gauff remains to be seen. But for now, the Swiss legend stands alone—both as a champion and as a billionaire.
