In his first full year in retirement, Roger Federer has ticked off another landmark. He features in Forbes’ list of the highest-paid athletes of 2023, coming in ninth place. He amassed $95.1 million in the past year.
It marks 17 straight years Federer has topped the list of the highest-paid tennis players, harnessing his unparalleled paycheck dominance among his peers and active tennis players.
Roger Federer has built the best brand in sports.
Forbes says he earned $95 million last year, making him the world's 9th highest-paid athlete.
But Federer only played one tennis match before retiring, and 100% of that money came through endorsements.
That's incredible. pic.twitter.com/l0pXzVuClN
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) May 2, 2023
Roger Federer is the only retired athlete on the list
Federer is the only retired sportsperson and tennis player on the 2023 list topped by Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Federer’s earnings are purely from his lucrative endorsement deals. He signed a staggering $300 million, 10-year deal with Japanese retailer Uniqlo back in 2018, ending his near two-decade partnership with sports giant Nike.
Federer’s earnings in the past year fall slightly short of his own personal record of $106 million he earned in 2020.
The former World No. 1 played one match in 2022, the memorable doubles at the Laver Cup alongside his great rival Rafael Nadal, in his final match as a professional.
Prior to the tournament, the 41-year-old penned a heartfelt retirement message to the tennis fraternity. He brought the curtain down to his glittering tennis career spanning 24 years.
Federer won 20 Grand Slams, including a record eight Wimbledon titles. He ranks third in career prize money earned on the tennis court ($130,594,339), sitting behind only Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
The Swiss legend is due to return to the All-England Club at this year’s tournament. He is set to be honored for his achievements at the grass-court Major. Federer is also reportedly in talks to work with the BBC as a pundit at the Championships.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
