How Roger Federer Enters the Billionaire Club
Roger Federer dominated the tennis court for over two decades. He made his professional debut in 1998 and announced his retirement in 2022, winning countless titles throughout his career. However, for the Swiss star, retirement has not meant slowing down. Instead, he has been in the headlines again—this time for his wealth. Federer has become a billionaire, making him the seventh athlete across all sports, and the second tennis player ever, to achieve this remarkable milestone.
Federer retired from professional tennis in September 2022 after playing his farewell match at the Laver Cup in London. By then, the sport had already entered a new era dominated by younger competitors. Despite this shift, Federer remained the highest earner in the game, thanks to his lucrative endorsement deals and brand partnerships that kept him at the top even after he hung up his racket. Year after year, Federer remained unmatched in endorsement income, and he is now officially a billionaire, according to Forbes.
Federer is the seventh athlete to achieve this billionaire status. Some, like LeBron James and Tiger Woods, reached this milestone while still active in their sports, while others, such as tennis player Ion Țiriac, basketball legends Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, and former NBA player Junior Bridgeman, accumulated their wealth after retiring.
Let’s delve into the various sources of income of Roger Federer, the highest-paid tennis star for 16 consecutive years.
1. Prize Money
Throughout his impressive 24-year career, Federer earned approximately $130 million in prize money, reports Forbes. While this figure may seem significant, it is only a small fraction of his overall wealth compared to his off-court earnings. In fact, Federer’s tournament earnings were less than those of his rivals: Novak Djokovic ($189 million) and Rafael Nadal ($135 million).
2. Income off the court
A large part of Federer’s wealth comes from his activities off the court. Over his long career, he earned a whopping $1 billion from endorsements, investments, and other ventures. This made him the highest-paid tennis player for 16 years in a row. Even in 2020, when an injury kept him out after the Australian Open semifinals, he still made $106.3 million before taxes.
3. Endorsements and sponsorships
Federer’s off-court earnings were driven largely by endorsements. In 2018, after leaving Nike, he signed an apparel deal with Uniqlo, which is reportedly worth $300 million over ten years. Earlier, Nike had paid him around $150 million over two decades. Long-term partnerships with luxury brands like Rolex, Mercedes-Benz, Lindt, and Moët & Chandon also added to his wealth.
4. Strategic investments
Federer’s strategic investments have also contributed massively to his fortune. His 3 per cent stake in Swiss sportswear brand On, acquired in 2019, is now worth over $375 million, according to Forbes. He co-founded the sports management company Team8 in 2013 and helped create the Laver Cup in 2017, a profitable annual tennis event which is expected to generate over $20 million in ticketing and sponsorship revenue this year. Federer also invested $235 million in 2021 in the plant-based food company NotCo, valued at $1.5 billion, alongside other celebrity investors.
5. Social media and brand value
Even after retiring, Federer’s global influence keeps him highly valuable to brands. He has around 43.5 million followers across Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), second only to Nadal among tennis players.
