Carlos Alcaraz’s run at the ATP Finals in Turin may have ended in disappointment, but the 21-year-old tennis sensation has still enjoyed a remarkably successful and lucrative year. Entering the prestigious year-end tournament as one of the top contenders, the French Open and Wimbledon champion faced an uphill battle in his final group-stage match against Alexander Zverev. Despite his best efforts, Alcaraz fell 7-6(5), 6-4 to the in-form German, effectively sealing his exit from the competition.
Alcaraz’s hopes of progressing to the semi-finals were dashed later that evening when Casper Ruud clinched the first set against Andrey Rublev, mathematically eliminating the Spaniard from contention. While the defeat marked an early end to his ATP Finals campaign, there are several factors that contextualize Alcaraz’s performance, including his battle with a virus earlier in the week. This illness clearly affected his form, contributing to a loss against Ruud in his opening match in Turin.
Nevertheless, Alcaraz has every reason to hold his head high. His week in Turin was highlighted by a solid victory over Rublev and a competitive showing against Zverev, underscoring the grit and determination that have defined his season. As he prepares for his final event of 2024 at the Davis Cup Finals, Alcaraz can reflect on a year filled with remarkable achievements and extraordinary earnings.
The young Spaniard’s 2024 campaign began with a setback, as he was defeated by Zverev in the Australian Open quarter-finals. However, Alcaraz rebounded in spectacular fashion, capturing titles at the French Open and Wimbledon and solidifying his status as one of the sport’s premier talents. His impressive performances have translated into substantial financial rewards, with prize money totaling $9,122,838 heading into the ATP Finals. Although he fell short of the title in Turin, Alcaraz still pocketed an additional $727,500, bringing his yearly earnings to an eye-popping $9,850,338.
Alcaraz’s lucrative season is set to become even more profitable with the upcoming Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, where he will represent Spain alongside tennis legend Rafael Nadal, who is preparing for his final competitive event. Should Spain emerge victorious, the team will share a prize pot of $2,678,571. Even as runners-up, the Spanish squad would earn $1,607,143, while semi-finalists and quarter-finalists would take home $1,071,429 and $535,714, respectively. Alcaraz’s share of these earnings is expected to push his total haul for the year well beyond the $10 million mark.
Despite his massive earnings, Alcaraz insists that money is not his primary motivation. The young star’s career earnings have already reached an astonishing $36,876,485, a testament to his rapid rise in professional tennis. In addition to his prize money, Alcaraz has earned substantial sums from high-profile exhibition events. Last month, he participated in the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia, earning a reported $1.5 million for his appearance. While some players, such as world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, framed their participation in such events as purely about love for the sport, Alcaraz was refreshingly candid about his motivations.
“I love playing tennis. You know, most of the time I don’t think about the money. I just play for love or for fun. But you have to be realistic,” Alcaraz said when asked about his decision to compete in Saudi Arabia. “You have to think that you want to earn money, you know, and that’s it. In Saudi Arabia is the most, highest prize money ever, that was a good motivation, at least for me.”
Alcaraz’s financial success has already secured him a spot in the top 10 of men’s tennis’ all-time prize money list. Currently ranked ninth, he trails only legends like Novak Djokovic, who leads the pack with career earnings of $185,065,269. Rafael Nadal sits in second place with $134,946,100, while Roger Federer is third with $130,594,339. Other notable players on the list include Andy Murray, who has amassed $64,687,542, and Alexander Zverev, who ranks fifth with $46,023,424. Italy’s Jannik Sinner, currently 16th with $29,108,484, appears poised to rise quickly if he maintains his stellar form.
As Alcaraz continues to mature and evolve as a player, his focus will undoubtedly remain on achieving more milestones on the court. With his immense talent, resilience, and a drive to improve, there is no telling how far the young star can go. His journey has only just begun, and with every success, both his legacy and his bank balance will continue to grow. For now, Alcaraz can look forward to the Davis Cup Finals and the chance to add another chapter to his already extraordinary 2024 season, knowing that the future remains exceptionally bright for one of tennis’s most exciting talents.