A Look at the Top 4 Tennis Players on the 2018 Money List

Top Tennis Earners in 2018 

 
Professional tennis is about individual brilliance.  It’s a sport that requires strategizing, mental strength, speed and stamina.  The players with the perfect combination of hand-eye co-ordination, optimal shot-making and physicality endure to reach the top end of the world rankings.
 
They also bank millions of dollars in prize money and corporate endorsements.  In the top echelons of tennis, there are a select few who are the Buffets of the sport.  Here are the top 4 earners in pro tennis in 2018 so far:

Roger Federer: $70.6m

At 37, Roger Federer has the energy and staying power of men half his age.  Despite injury setbacks the world number two smashed his way to a record 20 grand slam singles titles at the 2018 Australian Open.
 
An 82 percent career win-loss record has ensured the Swiss Maestro is the highest-ever money earner in the sport, banking more than $117m in prize money alone.  Factor in a slew of endorsements capped by a 10-year $300m deal with Japanese apparel brand Uniqlo and Federer is the first self-made billionaire of tennis. 
 

Federer’s 2018 win-loss record is 36-5, a record duly rewarded with around $5.6m in prize money.  The fact that he’s powered through the first three rounds of the US Open means he’s in line for still higher earnings.  Federer’s prize money together with the estimated $65m generated by endorsements tips him into the top position on the annual money list with over $70,6m.
 

Rafael Nadal: $34.7m

 
Rafael Nadal is on a roll.  In 2018 the Spaniard has racked up a win-loss record of 44-3; an incredible 93.62 percent win rate that’s generated $7.7m in prize money. 
 
The world number one added the 2018 French Open to his growing collection of 17 grand slam titles.  By the looks of his current form Nadal is on track to win at Flushing Meadows, a victory that’ll boost his $102m in career earnings.
 

Although Nadal tops the 2018 money list in terms of prize money he lags behind in endorsements.  According to annual estimates Nadal’s corporate partnerships are worth $27m.
 

Kei Nishikori - $34.6m

 
Although Japan’s Kei Nishikori is currently ranked 19^th on the ATP World Rankings he’s the third highest money earner in 2018.  A recurring wrist injury and poor run of form put paid to any heroics on-court as is evident from this year’s win-loss record of 23-13.
 

To date, Nishikori has banked around $1.6m in prize money but endorsements by the likes of Japan Airlines, Proctor and Gamble, Tag Heuer, Jaguar and Nissan have pushed up his earnings to $34.6m.  As the 28-year old has won all three matches at the US Open to date, his total prize money for the year is due for a fillip.
 

Novak Djokovic - $27.4m                                                                         

The incumbent world number six, Novak Djokovic is finally showing signs of his former self.  Although he got off to a slow start in 2018 with an average win-loss record of 36-10, he scooped up his 13^th grand slam at Wimbledon and his first major title in two years.
 

Djokovic has banked $5.4m in prize money this year, a sum that’s bound to increase with a fourth round or better finish at the US Open.  Throw in annual sponsorship deals valued at $22m and the smiling Serb tips the scales as the fourth highest earner in 2018 and the second highest overall with $115.3m!
 

With so much money up for grabs it can only be a matter of time before a top player from Uganda muscles in on the money list.  Can Duncan Mugabe turn his fortunes around?
 
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions, follow Betway Uganda on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and YouTube. Download the Betway App.