Sinner Tops Tennis Earnings List 2026
- Jannik Sinner tops the Forbes tennis earnings list with nearly €50 million — the highest total in the ranking's history — though he is absent from the US Open with a knee injury.
- Serena Williams ranks third overall with €34.6 million despite earning just €86,000 in prize money since returning to competition in June, with almost all income coming from
- US Open prize money has risen 20 per cent on 2025 levels to €4.7 million for singles winners, following player-led media strikes at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Jannik Sinner has been named the world's highest-earning tennis player in Forbes's latest annual rankings, accumulating nearly €50 million over the past twelve months in what the list describes as its highest figure on record. The Italian world number one's total combines €19.8 million in prize money — earned across five consecutive Masters titles and a Wimbledon victory — with €30.1 million in off-court income from sponsors including Gucci and Lavazza. Sinner will not, however, defend his status at the US Open, which begins on Sunday, after withdrawing with a knee injury.
Alcaraz and a remarkable Williams return
Carlos Alcaraz sits second with €46.3 million despite having been absent from the tour since April with a wrist injury. The 23-year-old Spaniard managed €12.9 million in prize money before his lay-off, supplemented by €33.4 million in commercial income. He is set to make his competitive return at Flushing Meadows as world number three.
The list's most striking entry is Serena Williams at third place overall, with €34.6 million. The 44-year-old American had not competed since 2022 before staging a comeback in June; she has earned just €86,000 in prize money since returning. Virtually all of her income derives from sponsorship and advertising arrangements, with Nike maintaining a relationship of 23 years. Williams is scheduled to play doubles alongside her sister Venus, aged 46, at the US Open. She is the only woman to crack the overall top three.
Sabalenka leads active women's field
Among players in full competition, world number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus ranks fourth with €31.1 million, comprising €11.3 million in prize money and €19.8 million from commercial sources including brewer Stella Artois and jeweller Material Good. Sabalenka's position at the top of the WTA rankings is, according to the source, under pressure heading into New York.
Coco Gauff of the United States is fifth on €30.6 million, followed by Novak Djokovic on €26 million, China's Qinwen Zheng on €19.5 million and Iga Swiatek of Poland on €17.7 million.
Zverev back in the top ten
Alexander Zverev, seeded first at the US Open and ranked second in the world, appears ninth on the Forbes list with €16.1 million — his first top-ten appearance since 2019. Of that figure, €11.8 million represents prize money earned across a run that included a French Open title, an Australian Open semi-final, and a Wimbledon final appearance; sponsorship contributed a comparatively modest €4.3 million. His career prize money total now stands at €59.1 million. Zverev has continued his strong form heading into the US Open. Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan completes the top ten at €15 million.
| Rank | Player | Nationality | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jannik Sinner | Italy | €49.9m |
| 2 | Carlos Alcaraz | Spain | €46.3m |
| 3 | Serena Williams | USA | €34.7m |
| 4 | Aryna Sabalenka | Belarus | €31.1m |
| 5 | Coco Gauff | USA | €30.6m |
| 6 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | €26.0m |
| 7 | Qinwen Zheng | China | €19.5m |
| 8 | Iga Swiatek | Poland | €17.7m |
| 9 | Alexander Zverev | Germany | €16.1m |
| 10 | Elena Rybakina | Kazakhstan | €15.0m |
Prize money rises after player action
The US Open prize pool has increased by 20 per cent on 2025 figures, with singles winners in both the men's and women's draws set to receive €4.7 million. Players eliminated in the first round will collect €120,000. The increase follows media strikes staged by professionals at the French Open and Wimbledon in a coordinated push to secure a greater share of Grand Slam revenues; no such action is planned in New York. The combination of rising prize money and Williams's commercial dominance suggests that off-court earnings — not results alone — will increasingly define where players sit in future rankings.
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