Rafael Nadal packed away his racket at the end of last year, following Roger Federer, who bowed out in 2022. But while their epic battles on court are now part of tennis history, the competitive spirit hasn’t gone anywhere. Enter Novak Djokovic, still running strong at 37 and chasing his 100th title. He’s already bagged 24 Grand Slams—two more than Nadal and four more than Federer—but the race isn’t just on clay, grass, or hard courts anymore. These three legends are now battling it out in a different arena: the money list.

Speaking of numbers, the 100 highest-paid athletes in the world collectively earned a jaw-dropping $6.2 billion last year, according to Sportico. Cristiano Ronaldo topped the charts with $260 million, followed by Stephen Curry at $154 million. With salaries, prize money, and endorsements flowing like an open tap, the total was up 14% from the year before. But that’s just recent numbers. The real game lies in the all-time scoreboard.

Now, for the all-timers: Sportico’s list of the 50 highest-paid athletes of all time features a collective $53.2 billion in earnings when adjusted for inflation, or $37.7 billion.Eight sports, sixteen countries, and a mountain of wealth. At the top? Michael Jordan with $4.15 billion—no surprise there. But guess who’s not far behind? Tennis gets its due, thanks to the Swiss maestro himself. Roger Federer lands at No. 9 on the all-time list with $1.23 billion. Out of that, only about $130 million came from prize money—third-best in tennis history behind Djokovic and Nadal. But Federer’s magic was just as strong off the court. His real empire lies in endorsements, with roughly $1 billion flowing in from sponsorships. His 10-year deal with Uniqlo alone, signed in 2018, is worth $300 million. In 2019, he bought a 3% stake in the Swiss performance shoe brand On. That tiny slice of the pie is now valued at a whopping $360 million—triple what he earned in his entire playing career. Add deals with Rolex, Wilson, Mercedes-Benz, Barilla, and Moët & Chandon, and Federer isn’t just the king of the court—he’s also a boardroom ace.

Trailing behind is Rafael Nadal, who slots in at No. 26 with $735 million. Interestingly, he edges out Federer in prize money, having racked up $134.9 million during his career. His sponsor portfolio? A masterclass in loyalty. While tennis stars often switch brand partners, Nadal’s relationships have been rock solid. He’s been with Nike for decades, and Kia has been with him since 2004, before his first French Open title. His Babolat racket history stretches back to when he was a nine-year-old. But wait—there’s more. The Spaniard picked up Richard Mille watches in 2010 and added Telefónica in 2014. His recent partners include Infosys, Louis Vuitton, and Subway.

Now, for the one still grinding it out—Novak Djokovic. The Serb, currently sitting at No. 33 on Sportico’s list with $690 million, has earned the most in prize money history with $186.9 million. His endorsement list isn’t short either. He’s got ASICS for shoes, Head for rackets, and Lacoste for clothes after parting with Uniqlo in 2018. Add to that his growing list of investments and a recent ambassadorship with Qatar Airways, the 37-year-old has also built quite the portfolio.

And while Djokovic is busy expanding his empire on and off the court, his former rival seems to be missing the rhythm of the racket. Roger Federer recently revealed an itch to get back in the game.

Roger Federer makes a surprising admission on his comeback

Federer’s global appeal hasn’t dipped an inch since retirement. He’s still a key figure in the tennis world, especially when it comes to the Laver Cup—the tournament he dreamed up as a tribute to the legendary Rod Laver.

While he’s mostly seen teeing off on golf courses these days, the Swiss icon admitted to TNT Sports, “Honestly, I’d love to play some more tennis again… Enough with the golf, I’ve played so much. So seriously, I would love to start playing two or three times a week and hopefully get myself back on the exhibition court and fill up a few nice [stadiums] around the world. I have no plans yet.”

Federer may not be back for Grand Slams, but his love for the sport is very much alive. “I’ve hardly played since my retirement; my body and mind needed a break. I’ve played a little with my kids, but I’d like to get back into it seriously,” he added.

Roger Federer may have stepped away from competition, but his financial legacy keeps growing. And if his recent words are any hint, the maestro might just grace the court again. Where would you like to see him play again?