These are the highest paid players at the 2024 Australian Open
Tennis is a lucrative business. With millions in prize money on the line this Australian Open, we take a look at the stars being paid big bucks on and off the court.
By Cayle Reid
THE FIRST GRAND SLAM on the annual calendar continues to grow in reputation and prize money. The total prize pool is set to hit $86.5 million this year, a $10 million increase from 2023. What this means is that the Australian Open is not only a chance for players to stamp their name in the history books, it’s also an opportunity to get filthy rich.
At this year’s singles tournaments, players will receive $120,000 just for making it to the first round. 104 players in each singles tournament receive automatic entry based on their rankings, which means most players only need to show up to pocket what would be a year’s salary for many people. If only we’d known this sooner, perhaps we would’ve pursued tennis as a career.
Even in such circumstances, where money is dished out with such liberal restraint, a few players stand above the rest when it comes to earnings. We’ve compiled a list of the top ten Australian Open stars who earn the most (in AUD). Let’s get into the rankings.
10. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Yearly Earnings: $15.9 million
After appearing in the final of last year’s Australian Open, Tsitsipas struggled to maintain consistent form and capture an elusive maiden grand slam title. Although, with multi millions in prize money and endorsements, as well as a downright enviable mane of flowing hair, it’s safe to say the Greek God is doing alright.
9. Jessica Pegula
Yearly Earnings: $16.5 million
Currently fifth in the world, Jess Pegula has been ranked as high as third, despite having never made it past the quarterfinals of a grand slam. But while it’s likely Pegula hasn’t yet reached her peak on-court potential, she’ll be hard pressed to rack up even more earnings off of it. Pegula is the founder of her own skincare line—Ready 24—and is sponsored by Adidas. Her dad, Terry Pegula, is also a billionaire businessmen and gas magnate who owns the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres NFL and NHL teams. Success runs in the family.
8. Naomi Osaka
Yearly Earnings: $18.3 million
A former world number one and four-time grand slam champion, Naomi Osaka’s sporting career has taken a back seat in recent years, as she’s focused on her mental health, family and business portfolio—the latter of which now includes ownership of an upstart media company, a partnership with Bobbie baby formula, and a creative collaboration with Victoria’s Secret. Still only 26 years old, Osaka is currently ranked 831st in the world, but is looking to climb back up the rankings sooner rather than later.
7. Casper Ruud
Yearly Earnings: $21.9 million
Following runner-up performances at the French Open, US Open and ATP Tour Finals in 2022, Casper Ruud skyrocketed up the world rankings all the way to 2nd. Now ranked 11th, the Norwegian maestro may have slid down the rankings, but he remains a leading contender at the 2024 Australian Open. Ruud’s exorbitant prize money, various sponsorships and ambassadorships with Samsonite Renault are responsible for his spot on this list.
6. Coco Gauff
Yearly Earnings: $23.1 million
One of the most exciting young talents in tennis, Coco Gauff is a certified superstar. After winning the US Open to close out 2023, Gauff climbed to third in the world rankings and looks set to stay in the upper echelon for the foreseeable future. Still only 19, Gauff has already been ranked first in the world in doubles and has a good chance of winning a second grand slam in Melbourne Park this month. Boasting partnerships with Bose and UPS, Gauff has the world at her feet.
5. Emma Raducanu
Yearly Earnings: $23.2 million
Beating Gauff to the top five by a measly $100,000—chump change for athletes at this level—Emma Raducanu is one of the highest earning players on the WTA Tour. Despite that, she’s only ranked just inside the top 300, at 296. Much of Raducanu’s global profile and brand value comes from her iconic 2021 US Open victory. After that win, Porsche, Dior and HSBC came calling, and those guys don’t mess around.
4. Daniil Medvedev
Yearly Earnings: $30.5 million
While Daniil Medvedev’s critics will label the Russian’s playstyle as robotic, repetitive and monotonous, those traits haven’t prevented him from earning a boatload of money and winning some of tennis’ most coveted trophies. Medvedev earned his biggest prize after winning the 2021 US Open, with a whopping $2.5 million reward for that win. Medvedev has been partnered with Lacoste for the last five years and recently lent his signature logo to one of the brand’s lines.
3. Iga Swiatek
Yearly Earnings: $34 million
The highest ranked female player on this list, Iga Swiatek will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. At age 22, Swiatek has already won four grand slams. She’ll be looking to add her first Australian Open title to her resume later this month. The Polish powerhouse’s sponsorship portfolio includes deals with Visa, IMG and running brand On. Like the probability of her frequently winning major titles for the next decade or so, Swiatek’s future retirement is set.
2. Carlos Alcaraz
Yearly Earnings: $47.7 million
20-year-old Spanish wunderkind Carlos Alcaraz comes in at second on this list and looks destined to take the top spot at some point in his career. Already a two-time grand slam champion, Alcaraz is touted as tennis’ next big thing and as the natural successor to the legacy left by the storied big three of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic—more on the Djoker in a moment. With sponsorships from fashion brands Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein, it’s clear everyone wants a piece of Alcaraz.
1. Novak Djokovic
Yearly Earnings: $48.3 million
Did you really expect anyone else to top this list? The inimitable Novak Djokovic is in a league of his own when it comes to grand slam victories and remains unbeatable in earnings too. Djokovic’s sponsorship stock took quite the hit a few years back when he adopted a hardline anti-vax stance, but the Serbian’s bank account has well and truly recovered. Where Djokovic goes, success typically follows. And this year’s tournament doesn’t look like it will be an exception.
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