Tennis players are making a ton of money these days, especially those that can constantly hold their ranking as being the top players around the entire world. Over the past decade, that list of top players has been pretty stable with players who have been putting together some of the best overall careers that have ever been seen. Guys like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have brought a new style to tennis that has really increased the sport’s popularity and helped to achieve a lot. Between the tournament wins and sponsorship, I wonder who is pulling in the most money? Let’s continue on to take a look at the 1o riches male tennis players of all-time.
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10. Andy Roddick – $30 Million
Andy Roddick is currently retired, but was formerly the #1 tennis player in the world. He turned pro straight after graduating from high school and took the scene by storm with his powerful 155 mph serves (his fastest officially recorded). After winning the U.S. Open and earning the top ranking, his career tailed off with the dominance of Roger Federer. He decided to retire from the game shortly after a heartbreaking loss to Federer in the Wimbledon final in 2012. Roddick is the last American to win a grand slam title, but he definitely got out at the right time. Some say he’d have been #1 if not for Federer all those years.
9. Michael Chang – $30 Million
Michael Chang was probably the best young tennis player out there. He won his first major tournament at the age of 12 and set plenty of “youngest” records in the sport of tennis. He won the French Open at 17 years old, two years after dropping out of high school to compete professionally full time. Despite all of the hype and being the first American in a long time to win the French Open, Chang has actually never won another grand slam tournament.
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8. Ivan Lendl – $40 Million
Ivan Lendl wanted to be the best right when he started playing. His mother was ranked the top female tennis player in the world which pushed him to try and be just as good as her. He was ranked the top junior professional player after winning the French Open and Wimbledon. He took the pro circuit by storm as well and continued to dominate there, eventually earning the top spot and setting records for his high amount of single season wins. Sadly, Lendl was forced to retire early due to chronic back pains. He ranks as having one of the best time at number one streaks in history.
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7. John McEnroe – $50 Million
Johnny Mac is easily known as the bad boy of tennis. Just go Youtube the guy’s name and I’m certain that you will find immediate results of him freaking out in the middle of a match. He held the world number one ranking for awhile by winning a total of seven grand slam titles and has continued to keep his hand in the game today by being one of the main TV commentators for each major grand slam tournament.
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6. Novak Djokovic – $60 Million
Novak Djokovic has really fought his way to the top of the professional tennis world. He had to sit just under the threshold during the prime of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s amazing careers until he finally broke through and has dominated ever since. The guy has a handful of grand slams (no French) and even grabbed a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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5. Andy Murray – $70 Million
Andy Murray is essentially the pride of Scotland and England ever since his Wimbledon win back in 2013 and being the first native to bring home the trophy in a long time. Since then he has earned a spot as one of the top tennis players around right now and has made sure to be always improving. He also won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics in front of the hometown crowd.
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4. Rafael Nadal – $80 Million
Rafael Nadal is a Spanish born tennis player who is known as the king of clay. He has been one of the past decades top two players along with Roger Federer and has held the #1 overall ranking in the world at multiple points. He took the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics and has won the French Open an astonishing nine times (clay court). He is one of modern tennis’ best recognized names and pulls in plenty of money from his endorsement deals each year.
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3. Pete Sampras – $150 Million
Pete Sampras is one of, if not, the greatest American tennis player to ever come around. The guy was a beast and even held the world’s number one ranking for six years in a row. Sampras retired back in 2002 after going out on a high note and securing one last victory in front of his home nation crowd at the U.S. Open where he defeated Andre Agassi. Sampras has continue to play tennis but in the relaxed exhibition environment and directs his focus towards helping others with his playing. He most recently used an exhibition tournament to raise money for the victims of Haiti and is able to get the world’s best to come and join him for the causes.
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2. Andre Agassi – $175 Million
Andre Agassi is another top American tennis player who even achieved the legendary “Golden Slam” title (winning all grand slam tournaments and earning at gold medal). He was the rival of Pete Sampras and these two played some of the best tennis of their time. Agassi used to sport long hair, flashy clothes, and seemed to be the Nadal to Sampras’ Federer. At the age of 35 Agassi was still competing and even made it to the U.S. Open final where the new era stepped in and he lost to Roger Federer; however, Agassi is a legend and helped to bring the sport back.
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1. Roger Federer – $180 Million
Roger Federer has been one of the most dominant tennis players in the history of the sport. He has a total of 17 grand slam tournament wins and held the #1 world ranking for a total of 4 years straight. With the rise of his professional career also came the rise of endorsements, and Federer is known to be one of the highest paid athletes in general. He has earned plenty of endorsements from huge companies and continues to play top level tennis. Although he has fallen out of the #1 rank, Federer has still put together one of the best tennis careers of all time.
*We’d also like to point out a player by the name of Ion Tiriac who was a top 70s player and now billionaire who we did not put on this list. He is the current owner of the Mutua Madrileña Thanks to our readers for pointing it out!
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