TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tennis' biggest stars are earning more than ever in 2026, with prize money, sponsorships and commercial deals turning the sport's elite into some of the world's highest-paid athletes.
According to Forbes, the 10 highest-paid tennis players earned a combined estimated $333 million over the past year, a 17 percent increase from the previous year's total.
Jannik Sinner leads the ranking with $58 million, while Carlos Alcaraz follows with $53.7 million. Serena Williams, meanwhile, ranks third despite making only a brief return to competitive tennis.
The 2026 ranking also marks a notable shift in tennis' financial landscape. Women account for six of the 10 highest-paid players, the first time they have outnumbered men in Forbes' annual top 10.
Forbes' figures cover earnings from the past 12 months, including prize money and off-court income from endorsements, licensing, exhibitions and other commercial activities.
The 10 Highest-Paid Tennis Players in 2026
Here are the 10 highest-paid tennis players in 2026, according to Forbes’ The World’s Highest-Paid Tennis Players 2026 ranking.
10. Elena Rybakina
On-court earnings: $11.4 million | Off-court earnings: $6 million | Total: $17.4 million
Elena Rybakina rounds out the top 10 with estimated earnings of $17.4 million.
The Kazakhstan representative has remained one of the leading players on the WTA Tour, adding major tournament success to her growing commercial profile.
Her biggest recent breakthrough came at the Australian Open, where she defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final to claim her second Grand Slam singles title.
Rybakina also won the Stuttgart Open in 2026, further strengthening her position among the sport's elite.
9. Alexander Zverev
On-court earnings: $13.7 million | Off-court earnings: $5 million | Total: $18.7 million
Alexander Zverev is the ninth-highest-paid tennis player in 2026, with $18.7 million in total earnings.
The German's Grand Slam performances have been a significant contributor to his on-court income, while his long-standing status as one of men's tennis' leading players has helped maintain his commercial appeal.
Zverev also captured his first major title in 2026, adding to his credentials as one of the leading players of his generation.
8. Iga Swiatek
On-court earnings: $5.5 million | Off-court earnings: $15 million | Total: $20.5 million
Iga Swiatek ranks eighth with estimated earnings of $20.5 million.
The Polish star's income is driven heavily by commercial partnerships, with endorsement deals accounting for a much larger share of her earnings than prize money.
Swiatek remains one of the most successful players of her generation. She has won six Grand Slam singles titles, including four French Open championships, the 2022 US Open and the 2025 Wimbledon title.
7. Qinwen Zheng
On-court earnings: $600,000 | Off-court earnings: $22 million | Total: $22.6 million
Qinwen Zheng's ranking highlights the enormous commercial value of tennis' biggest stars.
The Chinese player earned an estimated $22 million off the court, accounting for almost all of her $22.6 million total earnings.
Her profile has remained particularly strong in China following her Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games. Despite an injury that disrupted her 2025 season and affected her ranking, Zheng remains an attractive figure for major brands.
6. Novak Djokovic
On-court earnings: $5.2 million | Off-court earnings: $25 million | Total: $30.2 million
Novak Djokovic remains one of tennis' most valuable names even as he approaches the later stages of his career.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion earned an estimated $30.2 million over the past year, including $25 million from off-court activities.
Djokovic's extraordinary career has helped him maintain lucrative relationships with major brands. His legacy as the men's record-holder for Grand Slam singles titles continues to drive his commercial appeal.
5. Coco Gauff
On-court earnings: $7.5 million | Off-court earnings: $28 million | Total: $35.5 million
Coco Gauff is the second-highest-paid woman on the list, earning an estimated $35.5 million.
The American star's commercial profile has grown rapidly since she broke onto the WTA Tour as a teenager. Her endorsement portfolio includes major global brands such as New Balance, Rolex and Mercedes-Benz.
Gauff's earnings are also a reflection of her success on court. She won her second Grand Slam singles title at the 2025 French Open and continued to compete deep into major tournaments in 2026.
4. Aryna Sabalenka
On-court earnings: $13.1 million | Off-court earnings: $23 million | Total: $36.1 million
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka ranks fourth with total earnings of $36.1 million.
The Belarusian has established herself as one of the dominant players in women's tennis, winning four Grand Slam singles titles and spending more than 100 weeks at the top of the WTA rankings during her career.
Her success on court, combined with a growing international commercial profile, has made her one of the highest earners in the sport.
3. Serena Williams
On-court earnings: $100,000 | Off-court earnings: $40 million | Total: $40.1 million
Serena Williams' third-place ranking is perhaps the most striking entry on the list.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion earned an estimated $40.1 million despite having largely stepped away from competitive tennis.
Her return to the sport in 2026 generated significant attention, but endorsements and business interests remain the main source of her income.
With major partnerships including Nike and Gatorade, Williams continues to rank among the most commercially powerful figures in global sports.
2. Carlos Alcaraz
On-court earnings: $15.7 million | Off-court earnings: $38 million | Total: $53.7 million
Carlos Alcaraz ranks second after earning an estimated $53.7 million over the past year.
The Spanish star's success on court has been matched by his rapid rise as a global commercial figure, with brands such as Louis Vuitton and BMW among his partners.
Alcaraz's earnings increased from an estimated $48.3 million in the previous Forbes ranking, although they were still not enough to retain the top spot.
1. Jannik Sinner
On-court earnings: $23 million | Off-court earnings: $35 million | Total: $58 million
Jannik Sinner is the highest-paid tennis player in the world in 2026, according to Forbes, with estimated earnings of $58 million.
The Italian collected $23 million in prize money over the past year, while sponsorships and other commercial deals contributed another $35 million.
Sinner's endorsement portfolio includes Nike, Rolex, Head, Gucci and Explora Journeys, reflecting his status as one of the biggest young stars in global tennis.
His ranking is particularly notable because Sinner has been sidelined by a knee injury since July and was unable to defend his US Open title.
Still, his $58 million total is the highest figure ever recorded on Forbes' annual tennis earnings list.
Sinner is only the fourth player to top the ranking since Forbes began publishing its annual list 19 years ago, joining Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Alcaraz.
