15 Tennis Players That Made A Very Surprising Amount Of Money

Written by Mariano Montagna on January 7, 2026

A male tennis player in a white outfit prepares to hit a backhand shot on a hard court, with a tennis ball approaching and a line judge crouched in the background.

Tennis has always been a sport of elegance and global appeal, but when it comes to money, this game has produced some jaw-dropping fortunes. While the sport’s biggest names are expected to earn millions, some players have built fortunes far beyond what fans might imagine. Beyond the Grand Slam champions and household names, a surprising number of players have cashed in through prizes, endorsements, smart investments, and off-court enterprises in ways few would expect. These 15 tennis stars prove that success in the sport isn’t just measured in titles, it is also counted in millions.

1. Roger Federer

A man in a gray T-shirt and black shorts is tossing a tennis ball with one hand while holding a tennis racket and another ball in the other hand on an outdoor tennis court. — Wikimedia Commons

Federer’s net worth sits around $550 million, thanks to his unmatched endorsement portfolio. His $300 million deal with Uniqlo, partnerships with Rolex and Wilson, and investments in Swiss sports ventures make him one of the most marketable athletes in history.

2. Serena Williams

A female tennis player in athletic wear prepares to hit a tennis ball with a forehand swing on a hard court during a professional match, with spectators watching in the background. — Wikimedia Commons

Serena has amassed over $250 million, not only from her 23 Grand Slam titles but also from fashion lines, endorsements, and venture capital investments. Her Serena Ventures fund has backed more than 60 startups, making her a powerhouse beyond the court.

3. Rafael Nadal

A male tennis player in a red shirt claps his hands above his head, with finger tape visible. He is standing on court, facing an audience, acknowledging the crowd. — Knight_TheRider/reddit.com

Nadal’s fortune, estimated at $220 million, comes from prize money, Nike endorsements, and his Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. His ability to turn his global popularity into a lasting business model shows how athletes can build legacies off the court.

4. Novak Djokovic

A smiling athlete draped in a red and gold flag sits at a press conference table with a Paris 2024 backdrop featuring various sponsor logos. A medal hangs around his neck and water bottles are on the table. — Wikimedia Commons

Djokovic has earned around $220 million, bolstered by Lacoste endorsements, Head racket deals, and his restaurant chain. Despite controversies, his consistent dominance and smart branding have kept him among tennis’s wealthiest.

5. Li Na

A woman with dark hair in a bun, wearing a white Nike visor and a light green shirt, smiles while standing outdoors in front of a blurred building and a blue background with the word "Morgan" visible. — Wikimedia Commons

China’s Li Na shocked the tennis world by retiring early, yet leaving with a net worth of $60 million. Her endorsement deals with Nike and Rolex, combined with her role in popularizing tennis in Asia, made her one of the sport’s most lucrative pioneers.

6. Andy Murray

A male tennis player wearing a gray and black Under Armour shirt smiles on a tennis court, with a blurred crowd in the background. — Wikimedia Commons

Murray’s net worth of $105 million comes from prize money, Under Armour endorsements, and investments in startups. Despite injuries, his off-court ventures have kept him financially secure.

7. Maria Sharapova

A woman in a white blouse and olive skirt sits on a white chair at a press event, with a blue and white Gillette Venus backdrop behind her. She looks ahead with a neutral expression, hands resting on her knees. — deleted/reddit.com

Sharapova built a fortune of $180 million, largely through her candy company Sugarpova and endorsements with Nike and Porsche. Her entrepreneurial drive turned her into one of the sport’s most surprising business moguls.

8. Pete Sampras

A male tennis player in a white and black outfit stands on a blue tennis court holding a racquet in one hand and a tennis ball in the other, appearing relaxed and smiling. — Wikimedia Commons

Sampras, with a net worth of $150 million, earned heavily during the 1990s through prize money and endorsements with Nike. His wealth remains impressive given that he retired before the modern endorsement boom.

9. Andre Agassi

A bald man wearing a black shirt and watch sits at a table in a café, holding a white coffee cup and gesturing with his other hand while talking. — zsreport/reddit.com

Agassi’s $145 million fortune comes from endorsements, his Las Vegas ventures, and his philanthropic foundation. His marriage to Steffi Graf also created a tennis “power couple” empire.

10. Ion Țiriac

A man with a gray beard and mustache, wearing a pinstripe suit, red tie, and sunglasses, sits gesturing with his right hand against a blue background. — Wikimedia Commons

Romanian former player Ion Țiriac turned a modest tennis career into a $2.3–$2.5 billion fortune through banking, insurance, real estate, and ownership of the Madrid Open. He’s the ultimate example of how off-court business can eclipse on-court success.

11. Venus Williams

A female tennis player in a yellow and white striped tank top and black shorts tosses a tennis ball into the air while preparing to serve on an outdoor court. — Wikimedia Commons

Venus has amassed $95 million, not just from her seven Grand Slam titles but also from her interior design firm V Starr and fashion line EleVen. She’s a model of diversification.

12. Kei Nishikori

A male tennis player in white sportswear and headband prepares to hit a forehand shot on a hard court during a match, with spectators and a line judge visible in the background. — Wikimedia Commons

Japan’s Kei Nishikori has earned $24 million annually at his peak, thanks to endorsements with Uniqlo, Nike, and Wilson. His popularity in Asia made him one of the sport’s most marketable stars.

13. Caroline Wozniacki

A female tennis player in a white visor and sleeveless white and gray Adidas outfit is outdoors on a tennis court, looking focused during a match. — Wikimedia Commons

Wozniacki’s $50 million fortune comes from her Grand Slam win, endorsements with Adidas and Rolex, and media appearances. She leveraged her career into a strong post-tennis brand.

14. Boris Becker

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Despite financial troubles later in life, Becker earned over $25 million in prize money and far more in endorsements during his peak. His surprising wealth showed how quickly fame could translate into fortune.

15. Naomi Osaka

Osaka is one of the highest-paid female athletes ever, earning $60 million annually at her peak from Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Beats by Dre. Her instant rise and endorsement power shocked the sports world.