Sinner Tops $333M Tennis Rich List, But Six Women Making History Is the Bigger Story

Jannik Sinner has overtaken Carlos Alcaraz as tennis' highest-paid player, according to Forbes' 2026 ranking, while Serena Williams' return to competitive tennis has helped women outnumber men among the sport's top earners for the first time.

Sinner earned an estimated $58 million over the 12 months leading up to the 2025 US Open, comprising $23 million in on-court earnings and $35 million off-court. Alcaraz follows at $53.7 million, while Williams ranks third overall with $40.1 million.

The top 10 players combined to earn an estimated $333 million, a 17% increase from the $285 million recorded by Forbes in 2025.

Jannik Sinner edges Alcaraz to become tennis' highest earner

Sinner is only the fourth player to top Forbes' annual tennis earnings list in its 19-year history, following Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Alcaraz.

The Italian's $23 million in on-court earnings is the highest figure ever recorded on the Forbes tennis list. It includes ATP prize money and tour bonuses, despite Sinner missing time through injury and subsequently withdrawing from the 2026 US Open.

His season has nonetheless been spectacular. Sinner won Wimbledon in July for his fifth Grand Slam title and remains No. 1 in the ATP rankings, with a 5,010-point advantage over Alexander Zverev.

Away from tennis, Sinner's commercial portfolio continues to expand, with partnerships including Allianz, De Cecco, Gucci and Lavazza. He has also won the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia in each of the past two years, earning $6 million for each victory.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, earned more away from the court than any other player on the list. The Spaniard's estimated $38 million in off-court income came through endorsements, appearances, exhibitions and business ventures.

His total of $53.7 million leaves him $4.3 million behind Sinner.

Serena Williams makes history on return

Williams' return to competitive tennis has provided a major boost to the women's representation on the list.

The 44-year-old earned an estimated $40.1 million, with just $131,932 coming from prize money. Her $40 million in off-court earnings account for virtually all of her total.

Williams ranks third overall despite playing only four tournaments leading into the US Open and returning after a nearly four-year competitive hiatus.

She did not enter the US Open singles draw but competed in mixed doubles alongside Alcaraz and is set to play women's doubles with sister Venus Williams.

Her business interests remain a major source of income. Williams is active through Serena Ventures and continues to work with major brands, while Forbes estimates her net worth at $400 million.

Her inclusion has also produced a landmark change in the Forbes rankings: six women feature in the top 10, compared with four men, the first time women have outnumbered men in the history of the ranking.

Aryna Sabalenka overtakes Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka is the highest-ranked woman after Williams, placing fourth overall with $36.1 million.

The Belarusian earned $13.1 million on court and $23 million off it. She has won three titles in 2026 - Brisbane, Indian Wells and Miami - and enters the US Open chasing a third consecutive title in New York.

Coco Gauff sits fifth with $35.5 million, including $7.5 million on court and $28 million off it.

Gauff had topped Forbes' ranking of the world's highest-paid female athletes in each of the previous two years, but she has now been surpassed by both Williams and Sabalenka among tennis players.

Djokovic remains tennis' biggest veteran earner

Novak Djokovic ranks sixth with $30.2 million, including $5.2 million in on-court earnings and $25 million off the court.

The 39-year-old has not won a Grand Slam since his 2023 US Open triumph but remains a major commercial force. He reached the Australian Open final and Wimbledon semi-finals in 2026 and enters the US Open seeking a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

A fifth US Open crown would also have a financial significance for Djokovic: the tournament's $5.5 million winner's prize would take his career prize money beyond **$200 million**, making him the first tennis player to reach that mark.

Qinwen Zheng and Rybakina highlight women's commercial growth

Qinwen Zheng ranks seventh with $22.6 million, despite earning only $600,000 on court.

The Chinese star's commercial value remains substantial, with endorsements from brands including Alipay, Chagee and Yili Group. She also added partnerships with Turkish Airlines and Qwen, Alibaba's AI platform, this year.

Iga Swiatek is eighth at $20.5 million, followed by Alexander Zverev at $18.7 million and Elena Rybakina at $17.4 million.

Zverev is the only player in the top 10 whose on-court earnings exceed his off-court income, with $13.7 million compared with $5 million.

His French Open triumph in June, when he defeated Flavio Cobolli in the final, was his first Grand Slam title and helped push his 12-month earnings into the top 10.

Rybakina rounds out the list, earning $11.4 million on court and $6 million off it. Her Australian Open title followed her victory at the 2025 WTA Finals, where she collected a record $5.2 million winner's cheque.

Six women feature in the top 10

The changing composition of Forbes' ranking comes as tennis continues to confront questions over prize money and the distribution of the sport's revenues.

While the four Grand Slam tournaments have long offered equal winner's cheques in men's and women's singles, differences remain at other levels of the sport. The WTA has committed to aligning prize money at combined 1000- and 500-level events with the ATP by next year, with further changes planned through 2033.

Players have also increased pressure on the Grand Slams to distribute a larger share of their revenues as prize money.

The four Grand Slam tournaments recently announced the creation of a player council, giving athletes a greater role in discussions around the future of the sport.

Forbes' 10 highest-paid tennis players in 2026

The figures reflect pretax earnings and do not deduct taxes or agents' fees. Forbes' on-court calculations cover prize money and ATP bonus and profit-sharing payments, while off-court estimates include endorsements, licensing, appearances, exhibitions and relevant business income.