Roger Federer: A Billionaire’s Journey Post-Retirement
Roger Federer has been maintaining an active lifestyle since his retirement from competitive tennis, and his strategic financial choices have played a critical role in him joining the exclusive club of billionaires. Over the span of his remarkable career, the Swiss tennis legend garnered more than $130 million in prize money from his 20 Grand Slam titles; only his chief rivals, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, have amassed greater amounts in prize winnings.
Endorsements and Marketability
The vast majority of Federer’s riches, however, stem from his ventures outside of the sport. His distinctive playing style, composed persona, and striking looks have contributed to making him a marketability powerhouse, positioning him among the most appealing athletes in the history of sports endorsements. Despite retiring in 2022, Federer, now 44, has continued to secure high-profile sponsorship deals well after his time on the court.
Investment in On
A pivotal element in Federer’s impressive financial portfolio is his involvement as a significant minority shareholder in On, a Swiss brand that specializes in shoes and apparel and is publicly traded. This company not only sponsors numerous athletes but also stands as testament to Federer’s foresight in managing his earnings post-retirement. Throughout his playing days, Federer was the top-earning tennis player for 16 straight years, showcasing his status as the flagship player who significantly contributed to the sport’s escalation in popularity during the 2000s and 2010s.
Comparative Earnings in Tennis
In terms of endorsement earnings, Federer outpaced both Djokovic and Nadal, who have struggled to reach half of his off-court income throughout their careers. In comparison, Ion Tiriac, another former tennis player turned billionaire, has built a thriving business empire and possessed ownership of the Madrid Open from 2009 to 2021, with a net worth of approximately $2.3 billion.
Current Landscape of Tennis Earnings
Looking at the current landscape of tennis, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner led the earnings charts for active players over the past year, with Alcaraz pulling in $48.3 million, slightly ahead of Sinner’s $47.3 million, the difference largely attributable to their extensive off-court ventures. Coco Gauff, who topped the earnings among female athletes in 2024 with $37.2 million, also highlighted the significance of off-court activities, making up a substantial portion of her income.
Despite a reduced competition schedule, Djokovic still ranked fourth with earnings of $29.7 million, benefiting heavily from non-competitive engagements. Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, who have notably been strong competitors on the WTA circuit, ranked fifth and seventh, respectively; however, Swiatek has voiced her concerns regarding the financial discrepancies between male and female players, especially after being named WTA world No. 1 since October.
During a recent press conference at the 2025 US Open, she called upon the sport to strive toward closing this earnings gap, while also expressing skepticism regarding the accuracy of earnings reports from sources like Forbes, given the private nature of many endorsement contracts.
