By Sport Analyst
Emmanuel Afonja
Tennis legend Roger Federer has officially entered the billionaire ranks, cementing his legacy not only as one of the greatest athletes of all time but also as a global business mogul. According to Forbes, the 44-year-old Swiss icon now boasts a net worth of $1.1 billion (£813 million), making him the latest member of sport’s exclusive billionaire athletes’ club.
The ON Connection
A major driver of Federer’s wealth is his minority stake in Swiss performance brand, On, the fast-growing shoe and apparel company he has been affiliated with since 2019. Federer owns an estimated 3% equity in the company, which went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021 and now boasts a market capitalization of nearly $15 billion (£11.1bn). His stake alone is worth over $375 million (£277.3m).
On’s rapid growth has been fueled by both Federer’s influence and its expanding roster of tennis stars, including six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, rising American Ben Shelton (World No. 6), and teenage sensation Joao Fonseca.
Dominance Beyond the Court
Federer’s off-court success has long rivaled his tennis dominance. During his 24-year career, he amassed $1 billion in endorsements and commercial ventures, making him the highest-paid tennis player for 16 straight seasons. Remarkably, he achieved this despite earning less in prize money—about $131 million—than rivals Novak Djokovic ($189 million) and Rafael Nadal ($135 million).
In 2020, even while sidelined by injury after the Australian Open, Federer earned an astonishing $106.3 million before tax, more than any other athlete in the world that year.
A Rare Company of Billionaire Athletes
Federer now becomes only the second tennis player in history to reach billionaire status, following Romanian former player Ion Țiriac, who built a fortune through savvy investments after his tennis career.
He is also the eighth athlete worldwide to join this ultra-exclusive billionaire circle, alongside sporting icons across basketball, football, and golf.
The World’s Billionaire Athletes:
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Basketball
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Michael Jordan — $3.8bn (£2.8bn)
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Magic Johnson — $1.5bn (£1.1bn)
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Junior Bridgeman — $1.4bn (£1bn)
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LeBron James — $1.2bn (£887m)
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Football
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Cristiano Ronaldo — boosted by $665m (£492m) Al-Nassr deal (exact figure TBD)
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Golf
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Tiger Woods — $1.3bn (£961m)
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Tennis
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Ion Țiriac — $2.7bn (£2bn)
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Roger Federer — $1.1bn (£813m)
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Legacy Beyond Tennis
Federer’s entry into the billionaire club underscores his enduring influence beyond tennis, where he remains a global brand in sports, fashion, and philanthropy. For many fans, it is yet another testament to a career defined not just by 20 Grand Slam titles but also by smart investments, long-term partnerships, and unmatched global appeal.
