Jannik Sinner tops Forbes' 2026 highest-paid tennis players list; Serena Williams third

Jannik Sinner has topped Forbes' 2026 list of highest-paid tennis players, with Serena Williams placing third and Carlos Alcaraz second. For the first time in the list's history, more women than men appear among the top ten earners.

Sinner earned around $58 million in the last 12 months, comprising $23 million from on-court winnings and roughly $35 million from sponsorships and other business deals. Serena Williams is the highest-paid female player over the same period, with estimated earnings of $40.1 million, nearly all of it—about $40 million—coming from brand promotions and business ventures as she competed in only a handful of tournaments this season.

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz pulled in roughly $53.7 million in the past 12 months, with about $38 million coming from off-court brand deals, a figure Forbes says makes him the most sought-after player for advertising and promotions. Despite ongoing physical issues, Sinner posted the largest on-court earnings on the Forbes list with his $23 million in prize money.

Women occupy three of the top five positions this year: Williams at third, Aryna Sabalenka with $36.1 million and Coco Gauff with $35.5 million, both of whom feature inside the top five of Forbes’ rankings. Those totals place Sabalenka and Gauff ahead of many established male earners on the list.

Novak Djokovic ranks sixth on Forbes’ 2026 list, with estimated earnings of about $30.2 million in the last 12 months. The list includes earnings drawn from both prize money and off-court income sources, as reflected in the top names.

Forbes notes the composition of the top ten has shifted this year, a change the article largely attributes to Serena Williams’ return to competitive involvement after being away from the sport for almost four years. That return, combined with sizable endorsement income for several women, is cited as a major factor in the increased female representation among the highest earners.

Sinner will not take part in this year’s US Open because of a knee injury, yet he still led Forbes’ list with around $58 million in earnings over the past 12 months.