Retired tennis icon Roger Federer secured a spot in the Top 10 highest-paid athletes of 2023.
Though retired from professional tennis, Roger Federer continues to make a significant impact on the world of sports, securing the ninth spot on Forbes' list of the highest-paid athletes for 2023. The 20-time Grand Slam champion's off-court endorsement deals have ensured his enduring financial success, even as he transitions into the next phase of his career.
Federer retired from competitive tennis in September and concluded his illustrious career by playing alongside Rafael Nadal in the Laver Cup, an international exhibition tournament he helped establish in 2017.
Despite leaving the tennis court behind, Federer's numerous long-term partners remain committed to him. Among his recent ventures, he signed a licensing agreement with eyewear maker Oliver Peoples for his RF brand and holds a significant stake in the rapidly growing Swiss shoe company, On.
The 41-year-old Swiss legend managed to rake in an astounding $95 million in off-court earnings this year, a $5 million increase from the previous year. This impressive sum comes from his lucrative sponsorship deals with renowned brands like Barilla, Credit Suisse Group (ADS), JURA, Lindt & Sprungli, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Mercedes-Benz, NetJets, On, RIMOWA, Rolex, Sunrise Communications AG, Switzerland Tourism, Uniqlo, and Wilson Sporting Goods.
Federer's total earnings for 2023 amount to an estimated $95.1 million, with only $0.1 million coming from prize money earned at the Laver Cup. Federer's off-court endorsement earnings surpass those of all other athletes on the list, demonstrating the power of his personal brand and the respect he commands worldwide.
His 2023 earnings would have made him the world's highest-paid athlete as recently as 2017, a year when Cristiano Ronaldo led the rankings with $93 million. Kevin Durant, who sits at the tenth spot in 2023, earned $89.1 million, pushing the cutoff for the Top 10 up by 10% from the 2022 record of $80.9 million.
The 2023 list of highest-paid athletes is dominated by prominent names in various sports, including football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, basketball icons LeBron James and Stephen Curry, golfers Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, and boxing sensation Canelo Álvarez. Federer's inclusion in this elite group further cements his status as one of the most influential athletes of his generation.
# | Name | On-Field | Off-Field | Total |
1. | Cristiano Ronaldo | $46 million | $90 million | $136 million |
2. | Lionel Messi | $65 million | $65 million | $130 million |
3. | Kylian Mbappé | $100 million | $20 million | $120 million |
4. | LeBronJames | $44.5 million | $75 million | $119.5 million |
5. | Canelo Álvarez | $100 million | $10 million | $110 million |
6. | Dustin Johnson | $102 million | $5 million | $107 million |
7. | Phil Mickelson | $104 million | $2 million | $106 million |
8. | Stephen Curry | $48.4 million | $52 million | $100.4 million |
9. | Roger Federer | $0.1 million | $95 million | $95.1 million |
10. | Kevin Durant | $44.1 million | $45 million | $89.1 million |