Roger Federer joins exclusive billionaire athlete club

In Switzerland, tennis legend Roger Federer has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the seventh billionaire athlete according to estimates published by Forbes. This announcement, made in August 2025, states that his net worth is estimated at $1.1 billion, a significant increase attributed to his minority stake in the sports label On, which has gained prominence in recent years. Federer, who retired from professional tennis in 2022, had his earnings peak in 2020, where he earned $106.3 million before tax, making him the highest-paid athlete worldwide at that time. Federer’s inclusion in the billionaire ranks highlights his successful career both on and off the court. He joins a select group of athletes including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods. Notably, Federer is the second tennis player to reach this financial status after Ion Țiriac, who was established as a billion-dollar athlete following his success in the 1970 French Open men’s doubles and subsequent investments post-communism in Romania. This shows the lasting impact of successful athletes when they leverage their sports achievements into business ventures. Aside from Federer, the latest financial assessment of the sports world reveals a competitive environment among current athletes. Forbes recognized Carlos Alcaraz as the highest-paid active tennis player for the second consecutive year, earning $48.3 million, notably more than Federer’s individual earnings after retirement. Alcaraz’s current standing emphasizes the shift towards newer generations of athletes who are capitalizing on lucrative endorsement deals and competitive prizes. Furthermore, the financial landscape for professional tennis is changing, as exemplified by players like Jannik Sinner, who became the men’s world No. 1 and significantly increased his earnings to $47.3 million. Coco Gauff also stands out, ranking as the highest-earning female athlete with $37.2 million. This noteworthy distribution of wealth among younger athletes signals a potential shift in tennis as it adapts to contemporary marketing dynamics and the increased interest in women's sports due to emerging talents. The cumulative earnings of the top ten highest-paid athletes statistically surged to $285 million, marking a 16% increase from the previous year.