Roger Federer Overtakes Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Joins Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods in Elite Record

Swiss Maestro Roger Federer, who is currently rehabilitating after going through a third knee surgery in two years, joins the list of legendary sporting personalities such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Cristiano Ronaldo and others as one of the highest paid-athletes of all time.

Sports-based website Sportico revealed the list that witnessed Jordan as the highest-paid athlete of all time, with $2.6 billion earnings. Following the NBA legend closely was American golfer, Tiger Woods.

Roger Federer makes it to the top-10 in the list of world’s highest-paid athletes

Federer sits on the tenth position, just behind compatriot Michael Schumacher, who makes $1.13 billion earnings. The former world no.1’s earnings were shown to be $1.12 billion dollars.

The list also includes Ronaldo and Messi, with the former ahead of the latter with a whopping $1.24 billion dollar earnings compared to the Argentinian’s $1.14 billion dollars.

Apart from Federer, the only other tennis player to have a place inside the top-40 is American tennis icon, Serena Williams. The 23-time major champion became the highest earning female athlete as she reportedly made close to $648 million dollars.

Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – June 29, 2021 Serena Williams of the U.S. in action during her first round match against Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

Watch this story: Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams Lead the List of Most-Followed Tennis Players on Instagram

Coming back to Roger Federer, the Swiss star always has been a smart professional, balancing on-court success with off-court endorsements as he represents popular brands across the globe. His 2018-tieup with Uniqlo fetches him $300 million over a span of ten years.

Federer’s 2021 comeback was hampered by yet another knee surgery

With a career spanning more than two decades, Federer accomplished numerous on-court accolades and also became one of the most loved tennis players on tour. The Swiss Maestro is currently on a break from tennis due to knee recovery and his exact comeback to the ATP tour next year is not yet revealed.

In a year where the former world no.1 struggled to keep up with the pace from his opponents, Federer managed to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, where he lost to Hubert Hurkacz in four sets. Post SW19, the Swiss star immediately revealed his decision to have yet another knee surgery.

Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 3, 2021 Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action during his third round match against Britain’s Cameron Norrie REUTERS/Toby Melville

Surprisingly, Federer appeared at the TG Gardens in Boston to cheer for team Europe at the Laver Cup couple of months ago. Post surgery, the Swiss Maestro is yet to hit the practice courts and begin his ascendance to top form.

However, the return to peak tennis for Roger Federer looks like a bleak prospect at the moment considering his age and the rise in young competitors such as Felix Auger-Aliassime, Hubert Hurkacz, and Jannik Sinner amongst others.

Also read: Matteo Berrettini Compares Idol Roger Federer With Ronaldinho

The post Roger Federer Overtakes Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Joins Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods in Elite Record appeared first on EssentiallySports.