Federer passes Tiger Woods on Forbes highest-paid

If anyone doubts the mainstream impact of tennis, just take a look at how much Roger Federer made in the 12 months.

Climbing to the top of *Forbes*' "World's Highest-Paid Athletes of 2020" list, the 38-year-old earned $106.3 million in prize money and endorsements. That puts the Swiss above the likes of superstars Lebron James, Tiger Woods, and Kirk Cousins, making him the first tennis player ever to top the list.

Within tennis, Federer is leagues above his compatriots; the next tennis player on the list isn't until Novak Djokovic at No. 23, making $44.3 million in the last 12 months.

Federer first appeared on the Top-10 list in 2008, with just under $25 million—well behind Woods, who was pulling in over $110 million. Before Federer, Andre Agassi and Jim Courier were holding the fort as the highest-paid tennis players when they first made the Forbes' Top 10 in 1992.

In the 1990s, Agassi and Courier would also be joined (briefly) by Monica Seles. When Federer made the Top 10 in 2008, he had just signed a lucrative 10-year deal with Nike. He would inch close to the top spot in 2013, with only Woods ahead of him.

Federer's earnings were greatly bolstered in 2018 when he switched from Nike to Uniqlo. The Japanese brand signed the superstar to a $300 million, 10-year contract. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have both appeared in the Top 10 in the 2010s, but always behind Federer.