Tennis legend Roger Federer has scored another historic win, this time off the court. The 20-time Grand Slam champion is now a billionaire, Forbes announced, citing his net worth at $1.1 billion from tennis winnings, endorsements, and a stake in the brand On.
Federer, 44, has also been one of the most marketable athletes in the world for decades. His endorsement portfolio has included Uniqlo, Rolex, Mercedes-Benz, and more. After leaving Nike in 2018 (as reported by Forbes), he signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with Uniqlo, which helped pave the way for even bigger sponsorship opportunities.
Earnings on the Court & Historic Achievements
While Federer’s off-court success made him a global mogul, his on-court career was equally historic. He earned nearly $131 million in prize money, the third-best total in tennis history, behind Novak Djokovic at $189 million and Rafael Nadal at $135 million.
Federer began playing tennis at age three and turned professional in 1998. His breakthrough came in 2003 when he won Wimbledon, launching a career that would see him claim 20 Grand Slam singles titles, spend 310 weeks as the world’s top-ranked player, and capture 103 ATP Tour titles.
(Photo by Simon Hofmann/Getty Images for Laureus)Even in retirement, Federer is making appearances on the court. In October, he will play an exhibition match at the Shanghai Masters called the “Roger Federer and Friends Celebrity Doubles Match.” While it’s unclear if he will be paid for the event, fans are excited for his mini comeback.
Endorsements & Business Empire
Federer’s real wealth was built through endorsements and business ventures.
Forbes estimates he has made roughly $1 billion from sponsorships, appearances, and deals, more than double what rivals Djokovic and Nadal have earned.
For 16 straight years, Federer was the world’s highest-paid tennis player, and in 2020, he topped all athletes with $106.3 million in pretax earnings.
One of his most lucrative decisions came in 2018, when he ended his two-decade partnership with Nike, which had paid him about $150 million.
By signing with Uniqlo, he not only secured a massive contract but also freed up opportunities to partner with On for footwear sponsorships, expanding his portfolio even further.
How Federer Cemented His Position Among Elite Billionaire Athletes
With his fortune, Federer joins an exclusive list of billionaire athletes. Others who have crossed the three-comma threshold include LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Floyd Mayweather.
Federer is now just the seventh athlete to earn billionaire status, following legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Romanian tennis player Ion Tiriac, who became the first professional tennis billionaire in 2007.
The combination of record-breaking titles, unmatched endorsements, and smart business moves has solidified Federer not just as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, but also as one of the wealthiest athletes in history.
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Inside Tennis Legend Roger Federer’s Impressive Fortune