Temporary injuries disrupt the confrontation between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, but even when they cannot play, they are still in the battle for the number 1 position in terms of finance.
Alcaraz (23 years old) continues to have an advantage in off-field income, pocketing an estimated 38 million USD in the past 12 months, surpassing Sinner's estimated 35 million USD.
But if including the competition prize money, the 25-year-old Italian player is number 1, with a total pre-tax income estimated at 58 million USD from the US Open 2025.
Sinner is the fourth player to top Forbes' annual tennis earnings list for the past 19 years, dethroning Alcaraz after 2 consecutive years of leading.
Previously, Novak Djokovic led in 2023, while Roger Federer held the No. 1 position for 15 consecutive years until he retired in 2022.
More impressively, Sinner's competition prize money (23 million USD) - including the ATP prize money for the past 12 months and additional prize money from the tour - is the highest number ever appeared on Forbes' list.
Sinner will be absent from the US Open 2026.
Alexander Zverev (29 years old) – who broke the 9- consecutive Grand Slam titles that Sinner or Alcaraz won, has earned an estimated $18.7 million in the past 12 months, bringing him back to the Top 10 highest-earning players for the first time since 2019.
In total, the Top 10 highest-earning tennis players earned an estimated 333 million USD last year, an increase of 17% compared to 285 million USD in 2025 and only behind the record of 343 million USD in 2020.
Serena Williams' unexpected return after nearly 4 years of absence has created a major boost for this year's financial rankings. She has just pushed the minimum income to the list to 17.4 million USD and for the first time helped women dominate the Top 10 with 6 players.
Top 10 highest-earning tennis players in 2026
Jannik Sinner – 58 million USD
Competition income: 23 million USD • Off-field income: 35 million USD
Winning Wimbledon in July (the 5th Grand Slam in his career). Cooperating with Allianz, Gucci, De Cecco, Lavazza and 2 times winning Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia (6 million USD/time).
Carlos Alcaraz – $53.7 million
Competition income: 15.7 million USD • Off-field income: 38 million USD
The youngest tennis player to complete a Career Grand Slam after winning the Australian Open in early 2026. Is the No. 1 advertising face of the tennis world with partners such as Ant International, Infosys, and many major performance matches.
Serena Williams – $40.1 million
Competition income: 0.1 million USD • Off-field income: 40 million USD
Returning to competition since June. Possessing an estimated net worth of 400 million USD, she is actively involved in Serena Ventures investment fund and is an ambassador for Nike, Heineken, Factor, Ro.
Aryna Sabalenka – $36.1 million
Competition income: 13.1 million USD • Off-field income: 23 million USD
Win 3 titles in 2026 (Miami, Indian Wells, Brisbane) and sign commercial contracts with Emirates, Material Good, Stella Artois.
Coco Gauff – $35.5 million
Competition income: $7.5 million • Off-field income: $28 million
Won the Cincinnati Open and reached the Wimbledon semi-finals. Sponsored by more than 10 major brands.
Novak Djokovic – $30.2 million
Competition income: 5.2 million USD • Off-field income: 25 million USD
Entering the Australian Open and Wimbledon semi-finals. Business cooperation with General Atlantic, Hublot, Lacoste and Qatar Airways.
Qinwen Zheng – 22.6 million USD
Competition income: $0.6 million • Off-field income: $22 million
Although recovering from elbow surgery, the 2024 Olympic gold medal is still a valuable advertising star in China with Alipay, Chagee, Yili, Turkish Airlines and Qwen (Alibaba AI).
Iga Swiatek – $20.5 million
Competition income: 5.5 million USD • Off-field income: 15 million USD
Winning the 12th Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open. Supported by brands Coach, On and Oral-B.
Alexander Zverev – $18.7 million
Competition income: 13.7 million USD • Off-field income: 5 million USD
Achieving a big step forward when winning Roland Garros.
Elena Rybakina – 17.4 million USD
Competition income: 11.4 million USD • Off-field income: 6 million USD
Won WTA Finals and Australian Open, received support from Bank RBK, Vanguart and Yonex.
