Roger Federer is one of the best tennis players to have ever graced the game. He has won a total of 20 Grand Slams, and he continues to dominate at an age when most athletes are winding down their careers.
No one would believe that a 39 years old tennis player would continue to be in-game with such skills and resistance, but here he is, continuing to make history.
But with Roger’s career and success when it comes to awards and achievements, money came along the way, and you can expect one of the best tennis players ever to exist to earn accordingly to his talent.
This is why he isn’t only the highest-paid tennis player (according to Forbes) but also seventh when it comes to worldwide athletes.
However, where does the money come from? From only playing games and prize winnings? Not quite. Here, we will review the most important aspects and make sure you get to know Federer a bit better.
Who Is Roger Federer? – Early Years
Right now, in 2021, you are probably listening and reading a lot about other tennis players.
But if someone remains and is always mentioned even when he isn’t present, that’s definitely Roger.
This giant star, Roger Federer, was born on August 8, 1981, in Basel, Switzerland, to parents Robert Federer and Lynette Federer.
Federer started playing tennis at an early age with his parents and older sibling, Diana. He quickly demonstrated a talent for the game.
Then, he began playing junior tennis in Basel at the age of 8. At ten, Roger met Peter Carter, an Australian player who recognized Roger’s potential.
Carter and Federer worked together for four years until Roger, then 13, accepted an invitation from Switzerland to train at their national tennis training center.
Roger lived two hours from the training center in a French-speaking region of Switzerland. He was there for three more years until a new facility opened near his Biel home.
Peter Carter was an instructor at the new training center, and Federer rose quickly to the top of the world’s junior rankings with his guidance.
Roger was an amateur who won the Wimbledon junior singles titles and the Wimbledon double titles. He became the number one ITF player worldwide by the time.
Professional Career: The Rise of a Star
After a fantastic journey during his childhood, he was able to become a pro not long after.
Roger reached the semifinals in a tournament in Vienna shortly after he turned pro in 1999 and was the youngest member in the ATP’s top 100 after a few more notable wins.
He represented Switzerland at the 2000 Olympics. Although he did not win any medals, he surprised many when he reached the semifinals, before he was eventually defeated by Tommy Haas, Arnaud di Pasquale.
Roger’s potential was fully realized in 2001 when he won the ATP singles title. This triumph was followed by his victory at the Davis Cup, where he and fellow Swiss teammates defeated America.
These successes led to the media naming the term “Federer Express,” after which they created headlines. Roger won his second ATP doubles title and finished the season ranked #13 in singles.
Roger Federer would become the number one ranked player in the world, a title that he held for 237 consecutive weeks between February 2004 and August 2008.
He lost his first singles gold to Andy Murray in 2012 at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
In 2013, he injured his back and could not recover soon enough, which caused his ranking to drop. He regained his strength and defeated Richard Gasquet to win the Davis Cup in Switzerland.
In 2014, he lost Wimbledon to Novak Djokovic. However, he defeated Andy Murray and Djokovic to win Cincinnati Masters in 2015. Roger reached his first final at the US Open in 2009 but lost to Djokovic in the final.
In December 2016, he announced that he would be entering the ATP World Tour season as part of a new coaching staff. Djokovic defeated him in four sets at the 2016 Australian Open. He was injured in his knee and required surgery to repair the torn ligaments.
He announced in July that he would not be able to compete in the 2016 Olympics or the rest of the season due to his knee injury.
Federer participated in the Hopman Cup in 2017 and the Australian Open in January 2017; he won the Australian Open by defeating Rafael Nadal. It was also his 100th match at the Games.
Finally, he was defeated in the semifinals by Borna Coric at the 2018 Shanghai Masters. Then, he participated in the French Open 2018 for the first time in four years. He reached the semifinals but was defeated by Nadal.
Due to yet another knee injury, he missed the Olympics in Rio. Roger started his 2020 Australian Open season, losing to Djokovic in the semifinals.
Roger Federer’s Career Achievements
To this date, Roger hasn’t been disappointed when it comes to achievements and awards. In fact, he has broken several records and made sure to maintain his status.
We will make sure to name the most important or influential ones so far:
- Twenty men’s Grand Slam singles titles.
- Thirty-one men’s Grand Slam finals.
- He ranked as world No. 1 for 310 total weeks n the Open Era.
- The only player in tennis history who has won 6 or more titles in 7 different tournaments.
- Ten titles at the Halle Open (ATP 500).
- Ten titles at the Swiss Indoors.
- Eight titles at the Wimbledon.
- Six titles at the Australian Open (Grand Slam).
- Six titles at the World Tour Finals.
- Eight titles at the Dubai Tennis Championship.
- One gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics (Men’s doubles).
- One silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics (Men’s singles).
How Much Has the Tennis Star Earned?
Roger Federer has one of the highest net worth in professional tennis. According to Forbes, he has an estimated net worth of $90 million, and with a sponsor portfolio that feels unmatchable for other tennis players, you can expect him to earn more.
Keep in mind that we will review his current earnings (the $90 million stands for this) and how much he has earned over the years.
From endorsements alone, he has earned over $85 million. In fact, Forbes follows a record based on his current sources of income, and he has only scored $30k the past year in on-the-field earnings.
However, the rest of the money is based on off-field earnings, which is why sponsors and endorsements are even more involved.
The most recent one is Federer’s contract with the Japanese apparel brand Uniqlo, which is ten years deal worth $300 million.
Other companies like Rolex, Mercedes Benz, and Credit Suisse are endorsing the athlete.
In 2018, he ranked number five on Forbes’ list of top-earning athletes with a total income of $77 million and amassed an 18% growth over his 2017.
However, those earnings based on endorsements only have placed him #7 on Forbes’ Highest-Paid Athlete in the World 2021, and he’s the athlete that earns the most from endorsements.
His Future & Next Steps
Right now, it is hard to know what to expect from the athlete.
With a long record of injuries when it comes to his knee, it has been hard for the athlete to be in his best shape since then.
He hasn’t fallen behind in every single term since he holds the #9 regarding tennis ranks and players.
However, he has had to withdraw from a few competitions over the years, and people just wonder, how long will this continue?
Now, leaving aside his professional career, it isn’t hard to guess how much he will continue to earn.
After launching the brand On’s, a lifestyle sneaker or shoes company, we expect the star to invest in more businesses and companies.
However, his endorsements and contracts are definitely making him more money than we would even expect from a business.
Of course, there’s more to it than his earnings and career.
Federer has supported the South Africa-Swiss charity IMBEWU, which focuses on social and health awareness of disadvantaged youth.
He also has his own foundation: Roger Federer Foundation. The goal is to help disadvantaged children and increase their access to education and sport. Overall, the tennis player is always looking to help children and young ones to build their futures.
Roger Federer’s Best Quotes to Remember
- “I always knew I had something special.”
- “One of my big, big strengths, I think early in my career, was that I could learn very quickly. You wouldn’t have to tell me the things ten times or fifty times until I would understand them. You would only have to tell me two or three times.”
- “You always want to win. That is why you play tennis because you love the sport and try to be the best you can at it.”
- “It is always in my mind that I can crush anybody. That’s not an issue. But I think that is the same for most athletes. If you don’t believe you can win tournaments anymore, then you can’t do it.”
- “Success is a nice thing because it always means you’ve taken a step forward, and it gives you a sense of pride, which in turn gives you confidence and experience, a positive circle, so to speak.”
“My dad said, if you become a tennis professional, just make sure you get into the top hundred because you have to make a little bit of money. You make a living so you can pay your coaching and, you know, your travels.”
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