Jannik Sinner has only been at the top of men’s tennis for a couple of years, but he is already closing in on the elite list of big earners in the history of the game.
The elevation in prize money over the last decade means the all-time list of prize money in tennis is dominated by players from the modern era, with what now look like modest prize money cheques in the 1970s and 80s demoting some of the game’s icons down the list.
That is highlighted by Sinner’s rise up the money list in tennis, as he is closing in on the $20milllion prize money barrier as he played in an ATP 500 event in Rotterdam this week.
Following his Australian Open win last month, Sinner has a career total of $19,149,209 in prize money, placing him just behind former Wimbledon champions Goran Ivanesevic, Stefan Edberg and Lleyton Hewett.
He looks certain to sail past those icons in the prize money list in 2024 and there is a good chance the 22-year-old will be in the top 15 by the end of this year.
Sinner won $10.46million last year even though he failed to win a Grand Slam title.
The four majors in tennis offer the most cash to the winners, with world No 1 Novak Djokovic claiming a staggering $15.95million last year as he won the Australian Open, French Open and US Open.
Djokovic’s winnings were boosted by a stunning victory in the lucrative ATP Finals last November, as he boosted his career prize money earnings to an eye-watering $181,599,018.
The Serbian is comfortably the most successful tennis player in prize money terms, with his great rival Rafael Nadal in second place with $134,659,704 and Roger Federer is next on the list with $130,594,339.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray is fourth with $64,333,456 and 14-time major winner Pete Sampras won $43,280,489 in his playing career.
Of course, all of these numbers can be multiplied several times over as all the top players have big sponsorship deals for rackets, clothing and shoes.
As Sinner and his young rival Carlos Alcaraz are being hailed as the future of men’s tennis, they will be attracting the biggest sponsorship deals, with Sinner currently boasting an impressive collection of sponsors.
He has a clothes and shoe deal with Nike, a long-term deal with Head to supply his rackets and a big deal with elite fashion brand Gucci.
Rolex watches, Alfa Romeo cars and Lavazza coffee are part of Sinner’s collection of sponsors, with his clean-cut image attractive to backers.
He has also become a big star on social media, with his 2.3million followers on Instagram allowing him to earn big money from each sponsored post.
Despite his earning potential, Sinner insists he is not motivated by the cash rewards on offer in tennis.
“For my tennis career, I left home at 13. It gives me positive and negative emotions, joys and sorrows,” he said last year.
“It gives me everything. I reject the concept of being a company: my concern is not profit, it is never money. If they were, I would always play, I would accept the performances, I wouldn’t take breaks.
“On the contrary, I’m interested in eating well, sleeping the right hours, eating at home whenever I can, and being ready on the field the next morning. Ready to improve.”
Another player to look out for in the money list is Germany’s Alexander Zverev, as he is closing in on a massive cash breakthrough over the next few weeks.
Zevrev’s consistency in reaching the back end of tournaments has allowed him to build up a fortune in prize money, and he is closing in on the top five in the money list with a current total of $39,949,820.
There is a good chance Zverev will move past the $40million barrier by the end of next month and if he has a good two or three years, he might get close to ousting Andy Murray in fourth spot on this list.
Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz is another player making big money at the start of his career, with the 20-year-old Spaniard already collecting $27,427,247 on court, leaving him in 15th place on the all-time list.
TOP TEN PRIZE MONEY WINNERS IN MEN’S TENNIS
- Novak Djokovic – $181,599,018
- Rafael Nadal – $134,659,704
- Roger Federer – $134,659,704
- Andy Murray – $64,333,456
- Pete Sampras – $43,280,489
- Alexander Zverev – $39,949,820
- Daniil Medvedev – $39,301,567
- Stan Wawrinka – $36,638,774
- David Ferrrer – $31,483,911
- Marin Cilic – $31,294,696
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