Home

Tennis star Roger Federer tops Forbes world’s highest-paid athletes, ahead of footballers Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi

News Corp Australia
Tennis legend Roger Federer at the RAC Arena in Perth.
Camera IconTennis legend Roger Federer at the RAC Arena in Perth. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The Sunday Times

Roger Federer has become the first tennis player in history to top Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

The American lifestyle magazine revealed that the Swiss legend has leapfrogged football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to be sports’ top dog.

As revealed last week, Naomi Osaka features on the list as the top-earning female athlete after jumping Serena Williams to become the highest earning female athlete in history.

Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo was the only Aussie to make the cut, featuring as the No. 48 highest earner in sport with earnings of more than $44 million.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Aussie NBA star Ben Simmons is expected to make the list next year when his new contract (worth a mind-blowing $US170 million over five years) kicks in.

The Game AFL 2024

Roger Federer put WA on the map with his quokka selfie that went viral around the world.
Camera IconRoger Federer put WA on the map with his quokka selfie that went viral around the world. Credit: Instagram

Debuting on the rich list for the first time, Ricciardo is estimated to have earned more than $40 million in salary with his Renault team and more than $3 million through his endorsement deals.

Federer’s ascent to top of the rich list for the first time in his career was partly made possible by the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has halted all major sports.

Both Ronaldo and Messi have seen massive salary cuts as the collective gross of wealth across Forbes’ annual list is down nine per cent from 2019.

But not to diminish the world number four’s incredible haul that has lifted him from fifth in 2019 to the top.

The 38-year-old has raked in $9 million in prize money alongside more than $150 million from endorsements and appearance fees, meaning his estimated earnings for the financial stand at a whopping $159.5 million.

The Swiss legend’s endorsement portfolio is unmatched among active athletes, with 13 brands paying to represent him.

Roger Federer holds a Western Rock Lobster on the beach at The Lobster Shack in Cervantes, WA.
Camera IconRoger Federer holds a Western Rock Lobster on the beach at The Lobster Shack in Cervantes, WA. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

He joins Tiger Woods as the only two active athletes to hit $US100 million in a single year from sponsorships alone.

Only last year, Federer, 38, secured a contract with Japanese clothing giants Uniqlo said to be worth around $400 million spread over 10 years.

FORBES TOP SPORT EARNERS IN 2020

1. Roger Federer (tennis) — $159.5 million

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (football) — $157.5 million

3. Lionel Messi (football) $156 million

4. Neymar (football) — $143 million

5. LeBron James (basketball) — $132 million

6. Stephen Curry (basketball) — $112 million

7. Kevin Durant (basketball) — $96 million

8. Tiger Woods (golf) — $93 million

9. Kirk Cousins (NFL) — $91 million

10. Carson Wentz (NFL) — $89 million

OTHER NOTABLE ATHLETES ON THE LIST

11. Tyson Fury (boxing) — $87 million

14. Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1) — $84 million

16. Conor McGregor (UFC) — $72 million

21. Tom Brady (NFL) — $68 million

29. Naomi Osaka (tennis) — $56 million

48. Daniel Ricciardo (Formula 1) — $44 million

66. Virat Kohli (cricket) — $39 million

For the full list, click here

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails