$7.9$ billion net worth! Federer continues to earn handsomely after retirement, ranking seventh on the all-time richest sports figures list.

A few days ago, Sportico published the top ten tennis income earners from the last year, with Sinner topping the list at $52.3 million, showcasing the sport’s lucrative nature.

Yet, if you believe that just RMB 350 million is astonishing enough, that’s a limited viewpoint. Recently, Swiss legend Federer, retired for several years, has amassed a fortune of $1.1 billion, equivalent to RMB 7.9 billion, placing him seventh on the all-time richest athletes list. This figure is truly staggering.

$7.9$ billion? What does that even mean? This calls for mentioning Federer’s extraordinary commercial value and his superior investment acumen.

It is reported that Federer earned a total of $131 million in prize money during his tennis career, ranking third in tennis history, only behind Djokovic’s $189 million and Nadal’s $135 million.

But in reality, his on-court earnings are just a fraction of his total income. Compared to Sinner, in the difficult year of 2020, despite not reaching any Grand Slam finals and being near the end of his career, Federer still led the world’s highest-paid athletes list with an annual income of $106.3 million.

What does this mean? It’s more than twice Sinner’s yearly earnings! Keep in mind, Sinner won three Grand Slam titles—the US Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon—and was runner-up at the French Open in the past 12 months. He also claimed the year-end finals and $6 million from exhibition matches, yet this pales in comparison to Federer’s earnings.

When it comes to Federer’s off-court income, it’s even more astounding. His remarkable post-retirement earnings stem from his unique business insight. For example, his investment in the famous sports brand On is considered a “textbook case,” having bought only 3% equity initially, now yielding him a market value return of $375 million.

This Swiss running shoe brand, founded in 2010, quickly rose to prominence in the sports equipment market. Federer is not just an investor but actively involved in product development and brand promotion, turning his influence into tangible commercial value. This deal is regarded by analysts as a classic example of athlete investment, perfectly blending personal branding with business savvy.

What truly caused his wealth to soar are decades-long brand partnerships. For instance, since 2019, he signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with Uniqlo without any playing obligations. Additionally, partnerships with Credit Suisse (now UBS), Rolex, and Swiss chocolate brand Lindt & Sprüngli, along with a solid management and investment team including Team8, co-founded in 2013 with longtime agent Tony Godsick, and the Swiss firm Format A AG managing his investments and charity work.

Federer’s net worth has reached about $1.1 billion, making him the seventh member of the billion-dollar club in sports history.

In chronological order, the top six are:

Romanian tennis magnate Ion Țiriac ($2.3 billion)

Michael Jordan ($3.8 billion)

Magic Johnson ($1.5 billion)

The late Milwaukee Bucks legend Herb Kohl ($1.4 billion)

LeBron James ($1.2 billion)

Tiger Woods ($1.3 billion)

Federer is the second person after Țiriac mainly due to tennis-related ventures to appear on this list, and the first current or former professional tennis player to reach this level.

Sports business analyst Mark Thompson commented: “Federer’s transition is remarkable. Most athletes see their commercial value decline after retirement, but he has successfully amplified his brand influence. He never settles for just appearing on billboards; he is deeply involved in every business decision, setting him apart from many athletes who only sell their image.”

Tennis legend Billie Jean King wrote on social media: “Roger’s achievements on the court are legendary, but his success in business is equally admirable. He has shown us the limitless possibilities for tennis players.”

Forbes magazine remarked: “Federer has redefined the career trajectory of athletes. He has proven that an outstanding athlete can also be a savvy businessman, and the two are not mutually exclusive.”

From Wimbledon’s Centre Court to Wall Street boardrooms, Federer meets every challenge with the same grace and precision. He is the best role model in tennis, especially as an outstanding example of how players can balance their careers with developing their business potential.

When asked about the secret to his success, Federer calmly said: “Whether in tennis or business, it requires focus, patience, and the ability to see the bigger picture. I just apply what I learn in one field to the other.”(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)