Sports Then and Now

Roger Federer is looking to add to his career earnings and to post his 19th Grand Slam title during Wimbledon 2017.

It’s no secret that tennis players earn a considerable amount during their careers. Wimbledon 2017 has just begun and the total prize money this year has risen to a staggering £31.6 million. Although players compete for the championship title, and the single’s prize fund of £2.2 million, every player that competes receives money- even if they don’t win. Some players have reached the $100 million mark in their career earnings.

Novak Djokovic

The Serbian player has been listed as the highest earning tennis player for the past few years. His total career earnings from prizes come in at $109,320,581 to date. His income is owed to his extremely successful career, which has seen him win a total of 775 matches. His worth could be set to increase if he is successful at this year’s Wimbledon championships, where he will compete against some of the world’s best players. Djokovic is sponsored by leading companies such as Adidas, Uniqlo and Head.

Rodger Federer

Federer has been sponsored by luxury brands such as Nike, Rolex and Mercedes-Benz for several years. The 35 year old, who plays tennis for Switzerland, has only recently been overtaken by Djokovic as the highest earner. His career prize money totals $104,002,250 and he has won a huge 1,099 matches since he began playing professionally in 1998. In 2016, he was the oldest player to make a Grand Slam final although he hasn’t shown any indication that he plans to retire soon.

Rafael Nadal

Nadal is currently world number two in the singles championships. Despite only having become a professional player in 2001, he is ranked number nine in Forbe’s list of the world’s highest paid athletes. Nadal, who plays for Spain, has earned $85,920,132 in total prize money. He has also been working as a model for Giorgio Armani since 2011 and has fronted major campaigns for the company.

Andy Murray

Murray is one of the most successful professional British players of all time. He is currently the number one single’s player in the world and his earnings definitely reflect this. Murray has earned a total of $60,434,431 in prize money from winning 651 matches throughout his career. He has several large companies endorsing him, including Under Armour and Head, most recently Jaguar has joined the list. In 2015, he married Kim Sears in a luxurious ceremony which took place at Dunstable Cathedral.

Venus Williams

Williams is one of the most famous female tennis players in the world. The US player has been competing regularly since she was fourteen years old. She has made a name for herself as a singles player but plays doubles as well alongside her sister, Serena. She is currently ranked number eleven in the world in the single’s championships. Her total prize earnings are $36,520,636. Although she ranks as one of the highest earning stars, she has been campaigning for equal pay since becoming a professional player. She is also a business women and has launched her own line of sportswear for women, EleVen.