LONDON: Five women figure among the top-10 richest tennis players. The list, topped by former world No. 1 Roger Federer, actually has three women in the top-5.
According to Wealth X, the ultra high net worth (UHNW) intelligence firm, Federer is way ahead of the rest with a net worth of $180 million.
Spaniard Rafael Nadal is at No. 2, his net worth being $120 million, followed by Russian Maria Sharapova ($95 million). The Williams sisters occupy the fourth and fifth spots — Serena valued at $90 million and Venus $60 million — while men’s No. 1 Novak Djokovic is the sixth richest tennis player at $ 55 million.
Andy Murray’s current worth, valued at $42 million, places him at seventh. Chinese Li Na ($35 million), veteran Aussie Lleyton Hewitt and former women’s world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki ($30 million each) complete the top-10.
Recently-crowned Wimbledon champion Murray’s fortunes, however, are set to skyrocket. His net worth is estimated to hit $160 million by 2018. If Wealth X’s prediction is to be believed, Murray will become the world’s second-wealthiest tennis player in five years’ time — after Sharapova and ahead of Djokovic.
Professional tennis players have historically retired around the age of 30. Top UHNW players like Roger Federer, Serena and Venus are likely to retire by 2018 when they will be 36, 35 and 38 years old, respectively. Nadal’s future is uncertain as he has been plagued by injuries over the last 12 months.
Of Murray’s current net worth, $36 million comes from prize money and sponsorships, while he has $6 million in alternative assets like Cromlix House Hotel in Scotland.
“If he keeps his winning trajectory, we estimate the value of Brand Murray to rise significantly,” Wealth X CEO Mykolas D Rambus said. “As older players retire, Murray has a strong chance of rising up our rank of the world’s wealthiest tennis players.”
