With career earnings in tennis among the most unequal in all of sports, the question remains: just how much are the top players earning?

Although sponsorships and endorsements play a crucial role in making tennis careers financially viable, prize money has also seen a dramatic increase over a relatively short period.

In 2004, the Australian Open champion took home a modest A$916,000 - a figure that pales in comparison to the impressive A$3,500,000 awarded to the 2025 winner.

Let's delve into the tennis players who have amassed the highest career prize money totals, factoring in earnings from both singles and doubles, without adjusting for inflation.

1. Novak Djokovic - $185,541,164

Still an active player, Djokovic's 24 Grand Slam titles and 99 ATP singles titles have helped cement him well and truly at the top of the highest earner list.

Grand Slam wins:

  • 10 Australian Open
  • 3 French Open
  • 7 Wimbledon
  • 4 US Open
Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses the winners trophy after beating South Africa's Kevin Anderson 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 in their men's singles final match on the thirteenth day of the 2018 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 15, 2018. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
2. Rafael Nadal - $134,946,100

Retiring last year, the Spanish tennis legend's long-spanning career saw him take home 22 Grand Slam trophies and 92 ATP singles titles.

Grand Slam wins:

  • 2 Australian Open
  • 14 French Open
  • 2 Wimbledon
  • 4 US Open
Spain's Rafael Nadal poses with his winning trophy after defeating South Africa's Kevin Anderson during their 2017 US Open Men's Singles final match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 10, 2017.
Rafael Nadal raced to a third US Open title and 16th Grand Slam crown on Sunday with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 rout of South African giant Kevin Anderson. / AFP PHOTO / DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)
3. Roger Federer - $130,594,339

Retiring in 2022 after an unmatched 24-year career - the longest of anyone on this list - Roger Federer shares the record for most Grand Slam appearances (81) with Feliciano Lรณpez and boasts an incredible 103 ATP singles titles.

Grand Slam wins:

  • 6 Australian Open
  • 1 French Open
  • 8 Wimbledon
  • 5 US Open
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 15: Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with the winner's trophy after defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain duirng the Men's singles final mach on day eight of 2017 ATP Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qizhong Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
4. Serena Williams - $94,816,730

The highest-earning female athlete in prize money history, Serena Williams retired in 2022 with 23 Grand Slam titles, 73 WTA singles titles, and the distinction of being the only player to achieve a Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles.

Grand Slam wins:

  • 7 Australian Open
  • 3 French Open
  • 7 Wimbledon
  • 6 US Open
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Serena Williams poses with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy after winning the Women's Singles Final against Venus Williams of the United States on day 13 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
5. Andy Murray - $64,687,542

Retiring after the 2024 Paris Olympics, the British tennis star concluded a remarkable career with two Olympic gold medals, three Grand Slam titles and 46 ATP singles titles.

Grand Slam wins:

  • 2 Wimbledon
  • 1 US Open
Britain's Andy Murray celebrate with the trophy after winning the men's singles final against Serbia's Novak Djokovic on the eighth and final day of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament in London on November 20, 2016. ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
6. Alexander Zverev - $50,548,001

Although he has yet to claim a Grand Slam title, the 27-year-old boasts immense talent and plenty of time ahead, having already secured 23 ATP singles titles, making him already the sixth-highest-earning player of all time.

No Grand Slam wins

MONTREAL, QC - AUGUST 13: Alexander Zverev of Germany reacts after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland 6-3, 6-4 in the final during day ten of the Rogers Cup presented by National Bank at Uniprix Stadium on August 13, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

7. Daniil Medvedev - $45,126,978

With only one Grand Slam title to show for what is thus far a very successful career, the Russian has 20 ATP singles titles and was ranked No.1 in the world in 2022.

Grand Slam wins:

  • 1 US Open
8. Pete Sampras - $43,280,498

The American player, whose career spanned from 1988 to 2003, earned 12 Grand Slam singles titles and 64 ATP singles titles. As the oldest player on this list, adjusting his prize money for inflation would push him several spots higher.

Grand Slam wins:

  • 2 Australian Open
  • 7 Wimbledon
  • 5 US Open

 

9. Venus Williams - $42,648,578

With 49 ATP singles titles, along with four gold medals and one silver, Venus is the most decorated tennis player in Olympic history, surpassing her younger sister Serena.

Grand Slam wins:

  • 5 Wimbledon
  • 2 US Open
Venus Williams of the US plays a forehand return during her women's singles match against Britain's Johanna Konta on day two of the 2016 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 19, 2016. AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST-- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE / AFP / WILLIAM WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
10. Simona Halep - $40,232,663

The Romanian player has won two Grand Slam titles and 24 ATP singles titles. While the 33-year-old is not yet retired, she is on hold from adding to her prize money total for now due to a doping violation suspension.

Grand Slam wins:

  • 1 French Open
  • 1 Wimbledon
SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 29: Simona Halep of Romania in action against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in a round robin match during the BNP Paribas WTA Finals at Singapore Sports Hub on October 29, 2015 in Singapore. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)