Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer has officially entered the elite list of billionaire athletes, according to a new report by Forbes. Federer’s net worth is now estimated at \$1.1 billion, making him one of only seven athletes in the world to achieve billionaire status.
Although Federer retired from professional tennis in 2022, his influence and earnings have only grown since then. His wealth is largely fueled by endorsements, sponsorships, and business ventures, rather than prize money alone.
Earnings Beyond the Court
During his playing career, Federer was consistently among the highest-paid athletes in the world. Remarkably, for 16 consecutive years, he was the top-earning tennis player, even though rivals like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic earned more from prize money.
In 2020 alone, Federer made \$106.3 million, topping the global athlete earnings chart. According to reports, nearly \$1 billion of his total career income came from off-court deals with brands and endorsements.
One of the biggest contributors to his wealth is his partnership with the Swiss sportswear and footwear brand On, where Federer holds an ownership stake. This venture, combined with luxury endorsements and global sponsorships, has kept him at the forefront of sports business success.
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Tennis and the Billionaire Club
Before Federer, the only tennis player to achieve billionaire status was Ion Țiriac, a Romanian who won the French Open doubles title in 1970 before becoming a successful businessman and investor.
Federer has entered a rare circle of billionaire athletes, standing alongside global sports legends who have turned their success into massive fortunes
- Michael Jordan (Basketball)
- Magic Johnson (Basketball)
- LeBron James (Basketball)
- Junior Bridgeman (Basketball)
- Tiger Woods (Golf)
This rare club highlights how sports icons can leverage their fame and success into long-term wealth beyond their competitive careers.
The New Generation of Tennis Stars
Federer’s wealth reflects the legacy of a true tennis legend, but today a fresh wave of young stars is reshaping how success and earnings are defined in the sport.
- Carlos Alcaraz of Spain emerged as the highest-paid active tennis player in 2025, earning \$48.3 million in just 12 months.
- On the women’s side, Coco Gauff of the USA earned \$37.2 million last year, making her the highest-paid female athlete in the world.
For the first time in history, the top three highest-earning tennis players are all under 30 years old, signaling a major shift in the sport’s financial landscape. Global Tennis Earnings on the Rise
Forbes also revealed that the top 10 tennis players collectively earned \$285 million in the past year. This marks a 16% increase compared to last year, though it still falls short of the record \$343 million in 2020.
This growth reflects not only the commercial power of tennis but also the sport’s global appeal, with younger players taking center stage both on and off the court.
Final Thoughts
Roger Federer’s billionaire milestone is more than a personal achievement-it’s a testament to how sports legends can transition from athletes to global business icons. As Federer joins icons like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, the rise of stars such as Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff signals a new era in tennis-one where sporting brilliance and financial power are more closely linked than ever.
