Tennis is a globally recognized sport with major tournaments like Wimbledon, the US Open, the Australian Open and the French Open, which draw millions of viewers worldwide. Top tennis players have significant media exposure and a global fanbase, making them highly sought after individuals for major brands.
Here we look at the Top 8 most marketable faces from the Tennis World in 2024 based on the list published by Sports Pro 55mm in October, 2024.
The criteria for selection and rankings are based on the following points –
- Brand strength
- Total Addressable Market (TAM) and
- Economics in play.
8. Iga ?wi?tek (Poland)
The Women’s World No. 2 on the current WTA rankings, the Polish Tennis player is one of the most consistent players on the tour. Having won four Grand Slam Singles titles at just 23 years of age, Iga ?wi?tek is not only earning huge prize money from WTA and Grand Slam tournaments but also from the many brand endorsement deals coming her way.
?wi?tek earnings from endorsements and sponsorships is an estimated $15 million and her sponsorship portfolio includes globally renowned brands like Lancôme, LEGO, On, Rolex, Porsche, VISA, Infosys, Oshee Sports Drinks and IMG.
7. Naomi Osaka (Japan)
Four-times Grand Slam Champion, Naomi Osaka has been one of the most popular women’s players on the WTA tour in the past decade. She is a former World No. 1 and she was one of the world’s most marketable athletes. In 2020, she ranked eighth among athletes in endorsement income and had the highest-ever annual income of any female athlete. Naomi Osaka is currently ranked 59 on the WTA rankings.
Naomi Osaka’s earnings from endorsements and sponsorships is an estimated $14 million. Osaka’s brand deals include Autograph, Beats by Dre, Etsy, Hyperice, LVMH Moët Hennessy, Louis Vuitton, Meta, Nike, Modern Health, Panasonic, Tag Heuer, Yonex, Zico, Morinaga and Company and Wowow Inc.
In addition, she is also co-founder of skincare brand Kinlo, talent agency Evolve and a production company called Hana Kuma.
6. Jannik Sinner (Italy)
The Current World No. 1, Jannik Sinner is on a winning spree this season. He has won the Australian Open, The US Open and the Nitto ATP World Finals this year capping off his most successful season to date. With the success has also come global recognition, an exponentially growing fanbase along with rising brand endorsement deals. The Italian tennis player has been one of the most sought-after athletes in the world right now.
Jannik Sinner has reportedly earned $15 million from his off-court collaborations. He is currently tied up with several global and few luxury brands that include Gucci, Rolex, Nike, Lavazza, Enervit, Laroche Posay, De Cecco, FASTWEB, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pigna, Panini Comics and Technogym.
5. Rafael Nadal (Spain)
One of the greatest players of his generation and tennis overall, Rafael Nadal’s continued success saw him achieve many honours on and off the court. His tenacity, mental strength and never give up attitude earned him world-wide popularity and a global fanbase. As a result, the Spaniard has made a lot of earnings from brand endorsement deals.
Rafael Nadal’s off-court earnings is a staggering $23 million. His brand endorsements consist of global brands such as Nike, Kia, Babolat, Tommy Hilfiger, Emporio Armani, Richard Mille, Infosys, Amstel and Saudi Arabia Tennis Federation.
In addition, He has also made earnings from investments through his company, Aspemir. His latest investment has been in Playtomic, a racket sports booking company.
4. Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)
The Current World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has had a fabulous year with two Grand Slam trophies and many WTA events to her name. Since winning the Australian Open last year, she has grown from strength to strength and so has her brand value.
Sabalenka has earned $7 million from her off-court engagements. She has endorsement deals with brands like Porsche, Nike, Wilson Sporting Goods, Oakberry Açaí, Maestro Dobel Tequila, Audemars Piguet, Whoop, Le Blanc Spa Resorts and Master & Dynamic.
In addition, Sabalenka has also invested in one of the brands Oakberry Açaí which she endorses as well.
3. Carlos Alcaraz (Spain)
Tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz is probably the most popular name in the world of tennis currently. Having won four Grand Slams so far in his career, his attractive playing style more often likened to the legendary Rafael Nadal has created a global fanbase for him. Consequently, that has led to many brand endorsements deals and a growing brand value.
Carlos Alcaraz has earned a whopping $32 million from his off-court engagements. His brand endorsements portfolio include brands such as Nike, Babolat, Rolex, Louis Vuitton, BMW, Calvin Klein, Isdin, Banco Itaú and ElPozo.
2. Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
Widely regarded as the greatest tennis player of all time now, Novak Djokovic has endeared himself to millions of fans all over the world with his play, mentality and brilliance on the tennis court. In the era of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal he created a greater legacy than the two legends with unprecedented trophies and accolades. The consistent success has led to off-court engagement with a multitude of global brands for the Serbian.
Novak Djokovic has earned $25 million for his brand endorsements and off-court activities. His brand endorsement deals include Lacoste, ASICS, Peugeot, Hublot, Head, Waterdrop, FitLine, Raiffeisen Bank and Telekom Srbija.
1. Coco Gauff (USA)
Coco Gauff is currently the World No. 3 in women’s tennis and having won her first Grand Slam title last season at the US Open aged just 19 and has huge potential to become World No. 1 in the coming years. She has achieved decent results at the Grand Slams this year with a Doubles title at the French Open and sits pretty at the top of the pile in the most marketable tennis players. Gauff has become an attractive proposition for many brands as she is young, successful and uninhibited.
Coco Gauff has earned $20 million from her off-court engagements. She has brand endorsement deals with New Balance, Head, Barilla, American Eagle Outfitters, Bose, Microsoft, Fanatics, UBS, Rolex and Baker Tilly Wealth Management.
Still young with a long tennis career to follow, Coco Gauff could soon see her brand earnings multiply at an exponential rate.
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