Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff, Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka with $42 million earnings, becomes highest-paid tennis star before US Open

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz has become the highest-paid tennis player over the past year, earning around $42 million before taxes and agent's fees. He has beaten the likes of Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff, Rafael Nadal, and Naomi Osaka with this number ahead of the 2023 US Open.

The Spaniard's earnings dating 12 months back to US Open 2023 have put him on the top of the Forbes rankings for highest-paid tennis players in 2024.

Interestingly, Alcaraz's $42.3 million number is the highest earned by a tennis player not named Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Naomi Osaka in the 17 years that Forbes has compiled the tennis rankings. He has also won four Grand Slam titles before his 22nd birthday.

Alcaraz earned $10.3 million on the court and $32 million off the court in the last 12 months. The Spaniard won the French Open for the first time this year and successfully defended his Wimbledon title to bag a fourth Major. He won the silver medal in men's singles at the recently concluded Paris Olympics.

Djokovic, who completed the rare feat of a Career Golden Slam with his gold at the Paris Olympics, is the second highest-paid tennis player with earnings of $37.2 million in the past 12 months. The Serb earned $12.2 million on court and $25 million off court. He won a bonus of $218000 from Serbia for the gold medal. Djokovic has a lucrative endorsement portfolio that includes brands like Asics, Head, Hublot, and Lacoste.

Coco Gauff, who won her first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2023, stood third in the earnings rankings. She earned $7.1 million on the court and $20 million off the court. She has 11 long-term partnerships with haircare line Carol's Daughter. Naked Brand juices and Fanatics are the most recent additions to her portfolio.

Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, Naomi Osaka, Casper Ruud, and Aryna Sabalenka took the fourth to 10th positions in the earnings list.

Nadal earned a mere $0.3 million on the court, but his $23 million earnings off the court catapulted him to the sixth position. The Spaniard has a long-standing relationship with many sponsors. Osaka, who returned to tennis in January this year following maternity leave, earned $0.6 million on the court and $14 million off the court.

Iga Swiatek earns more than Carlos Alcaraz in prize money

Iga Swiatek with the Italian Open 2024 trophy (IMAGE: GETTY)

Iga Swiatek, the top-ranked player in WTA (Women's Tennis Association), came fourth in the overall top-paid tennis players rankings. However, her on-court earnings are higher than Alcaraz's. This number was the second-highest ever by any player (male or female), according to Forbes.

She earned $11.7 million on the court in the last year. Her prize money over 12 months has been bettered only by Djokovic. Swiatek earned $15 million off the court.

Her feat is impressive considering women are not paid equally across all tournaments on the tour. For instance, the Pole made $700000 for her triumph at the Italian Open in May this year, while Alexander Zverev got $1.05 million for winning the men's tournament.

Swiatek secured $50000 as a bonus from Poland for winning the bronze medal at the Olympics.