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Tennis is not just a sport, but an industry with multi-million dollar fortunes. The richest tennis players earn money not only from tournaments, but also from large sponsorship contracts, advertising deals and investments. Financial success in tennis has long ceased to depend solely on victories on the court – it is the result of a comprehensive strategy, brand management skills and the right commercial decisions.

Many tennis players today are businessmen, making deals with the world’s leading corporations. They become the faces of major brands, their social networks bring in millions, and their participation in international campaigns increases their capital. In 2025, the list of the highest paid tennis players has changed: new stars have confidently joined the elite, while experienced players continue to earn huge money.

Top 10 richest tennis players of 2025

The earnings of professional tennis players are built not only on prize money for victories, but also gigantic sums from contracts with brands. This year’s list of the highest paid tennis players of 2025 is headed by both familiar and new faces.

Legends of the court: who earns the most money

Being at the top of the rankings is a skill and the ability to attract sponsors. The highest-paid tennis players earn incomes that go far beyond the prize money of tournaments.

This year’s list is topped by:

1. Madison Keys (USA) – $2.37 million.
2. Yannick Sinner (Italy) – $2.15 million.
3. Alexander Zverev (Germany) – $1.62 million.
4. Iga Schwentek (Poland) – $1.56 million.
5. Arina Sobolenko (Belarus) – $1.45 million.
6. Corey Gauff (USA) – $1.37 million.
7. Taylor Fritz (USA) – $1.1 million.
8. Mirra Andreeva (Russia) – $1.09 million.
9. Alex de Minor (Australia) – $1.08 million.
10. Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) – $1.01 million.

These players have proven that tennis is not just a sport, but a huge business. They earn money not only from victories, but also from competently building their careers off the court.

Tournaments where millions are made

Tournament prize money is a key component of a professional athlete’s income. Highly paid tennis players receive impressive sums for participating in prestigious tournaments. In 2025, the biggest tournaments increased their prize money, allowing tennis players and tennis players to earn even more.

Grand Slam tournaments remain the most lucrative:

1. Australian Open (Melbourne), the year’s opening championship, characterised by high temperatures and fast coverage. The 2025 prize money totalled $80 million, with the singles winner receiving $3.2 million.
2. Roland Garros (Paris) – a ground tournament with long draws and difficult conditions. The prize fund rose to $76 million and the champion earned $3.1 million.
3. Wimbledon (London) is the most prestigious competition with a tradition where grass makes the game dynamic. The prize fund reached $85 million, with the winner receiving $3.5 million.
4. The US Open (New York) is the most spectacular championship known for its show atmosphere. In 2025, the fund totalled $90 million, with the singles champions receiving $4 million.

In addition to the Grand Slams, the ATP and WTA Finals also provide impressive payouts. These tournaments bring together the most successful tennis players at the end of the season, and the champions receive up to $4.5 million.

It is important to realise that prize money is only part of the earnings. The tennis players with the highest salaries in 2025 earn millions through proper career management. Advertising contracts, personal brands and business investments allow the world’s richest tennis players to remain financially stable even after their careers are over.

Top of the list: details of those who earned the most money

The most successful tennis players sign contracts with the world’s leading brands. Athletes have long been the main faces of advertising campaigns. Key sponsors for 2025 include Nike, Adidas, Rolex, Red Bull and Louis Vuitton, who are investing millions of dollars in promotion through athletes. In 2025, the biggest promotional contracts are: Yannick Sinner, Iga Schwentek and Madison Keys. Their partnership agreements are valued in the tens of millions of dollars.

Madison Keys tops the list of the highest paid tennis players of 2025 thanks to her impressive tournament wins and contracts with leading brands. Her aggressive style of play and charisma make her the perfect advertising face.

Yannick Sinner is ranked second. This young talent from Italy has soared to the top thanks to his outstanding play on hard court. His contracts with Nike and Lavazza have generated a significant amount of income.

Iga Schwentek became the face of major European banks and got a contract with Porsche.

Tennis players are particularly popular in advertising due to their striking images and media influence. Arina Sobolenko and Mirra Andreeva actively cooperate with global cosmetics and jewellery companies, while Elena Rybakina has signed an exclusive contract with a leading watch manufacturer.

New stars who took off in 2025

Mirra Andreeva is one of the brightest young tennis players. Her dramatic rise in the rankings and her victories over more experienced opponents have made her a new star. Companies are already offering her multi-million dollar contracts.

Alex de Minor is Australia’s premier talent. His game is characterised by his speed and aggressive attack, and his expert career management makes him one of the highest paid tennis players of 2025.

Conclusion

Financial success in tennis is as much about talent as it is about building a career strategically. The highest-paid tennis players of 2025 are not just winning on the court, they are also smartly developing their brands, signing lucrative contracts and investing in promising areas. Young talents such as Mirra Andreeva and Yannick Sinner could top the rankings in the coming years. Their potential, sporting achievements and commercial flair will allow them to earn even more. Tennis remains one of the most lucrative sports and its stars continue to turn their popularity into multi-million dollar fortunes.

Understanding the rules of tennis, beginners are often lost in the nuances of the score. Why 15, then 30, and then suddenly 40? Where do these numbers come from and what do they mean? Counting points in tennis does seem confusing, and we will try to reveal the system clearly, tell all the subtleties and history.

History and evolution of tennis scoring rules

The history of counting in tennis goes back to medieval Europe. It is believed that the system originally relied on the quarters of a clock, where 15, 30, 45 (later changed to 40) indicated intervals. The prototype of tennis originated in monasteries, where monks used clocks to count off points. But why 40 and not 45? The answer is simple: it was decided to simplify and speed up the game by replacing 45 with a shorter value.

The evolution of the counting system in tennis continued for centuries, becoming more convenient for spectators and players. In 1884, as the game began to take on its modern form, the rules were finally established in the form we know today. This transition to the current system was accompanied by an interesting combination of simplifications and adaptations aimed at improving the spectacle of matches.

Basic counting rules: how to count points in tennis

As soon as the ball flies over the net, the count begins, and each successful shot earns a player a point. In tennis, each game starts with a zero score (love) and then moves through 15, 30 and 40. The first step is understanding these numbers. A game is won when 40 is reached and a successful draw is made. If both players reach 40, a ‘deuce’ begins, meaning two consecutive points must be won to complete. A set consists of six won games with a difference of at least two. If there is no difference and the score is 6:6, a tie-break is introduced.

What is a game and how do I win a game?

A game is the basic unit of score in tennis. To win a game, you need four points, but only if the difference is two points. Think of each game as a mini-fight, like a round in boxing, where players take turns trying to land the decisive blow. The winner of the game gets one point in the set.

The tie-break: when a set is on the line

When the set reaches 6:6, it’s time for the tie-break, the deciding part where the tennis players battle to win up to seven points. The tie-break plays an important role as it helps to determine the winner under the most intense conditions. But even here there is a two-point rule, which often leads to protracted and extremely tense moments.

Athletes are forced not only to show skill but also incredible stamina, making the tie-break one of the most dramatic parts of the match. The term was introduced in the late 1960s at the initiative of American James van Alen, who wanted to speed up the duration of matches and make them more entertaining for the audience. Since then, this element has become an integral part of the tennis game, adding emotion and unpredictability.

How do you determine the winner of a set and a match?

The winner of a tennis match depends on winning two out of three sets (or three out of five in major tournaments). Scoring in tennis often comes down to tense moments when both players are tied on points and the outcome is decided by a few successful strokes. In such situations, each game becomes a real test not only of skill but also of mental toughness.

Factors influencing the victory in a match:

• Physical fitness: matches can last several hours and the level of physical endurance becomes a determining factor.
• Mental toughness: The most successful players are able to keep their cool at critical moments when every shot can be decisive.
• Strategy: the ability to choose the right tactics against a particular opponent is crucial. Observing your opponent’s weaknesses and using them to your advantage often decides the outcome of a match.
• Serving and receiving skills: A powerful serve can provide a significant advantage, especially at crucial moments.
• Rhythm: Controlling the tempo of the game, being able to slow down or speed up the rhythm depending on the situation, can also play a decisive role.

In such cases, every play and every point is of utmost importance. The tournament can be won by those who master technique, remain resilient, think strategically and stay focused in the decisive moments.

The subtleties of the rules for major tournaments

At major tennis championships, the scoring rules can be slightly different. For example, at Wimbledon there is no tie-break in the final set, which can lead to endless rounds of fighting. At the French Open, players also have to fight to the last man until a winner emerges with two consecutive games won.

Wimbledon:

• The lack of a tie-break in the final set can make the match incredibly long;
• stricter equipment requirements – all players must wear white uniforms.

French Open (Roland Garros):

• the final set is played until one player wins by a margin of two games;
• is played on a dirt surface, which slows the game down considerably and makes it more enduring.

Australian Open:

• the final set uses a super tie-break to 10 points to shorten the match;
• heat is often an important factor affecting the physical condition of players.

US Open: unlike other Grand Slam tournaments, a tie-break is used in every set, including the final set, making matches shorter.

Conclusion

Knowing the rules of scoring in tennis opens up new horizons of understanding of the game for the player and spectator. Now that the conditions no longer seem like a mystery, the enjoyment of every moment increases. Understanding concepts such as draw, game, set and tie-break makes the game even more exciting.