How much money has Novak Djokovic earned on court?

Kevin Palmer 15 Jun 2023 12:31 AM

Novak Djokovic Roland Garros champion

Novak Djokovic cemented his status as the greatest player of all time when he won his 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open – and it is not just in the major title count that he is leading the way.

Djokovic’s brutal dismantling of Norway’s Casper Ruud edged him one major title clear of his great rival Rafael Nadal in the race to finish this era of tennis as the best of them all.

Now the staggering financial rewards Djokovic has collected on court confirm he is also in a league of his own in the earning stakes.

Djokovic’s has lucrative sponsorship deals with ASICS, Lacoste and Waterdrop to bolster his on-court earnings, but the figures confirm he is also the biggest earner on the court in tennis history.

The rise in prize money ensures players in the current era of the game lead the way in the money stakes, with the £2,350,000 that will be handed to the winners of the men’s and women’s singles a huge £350,000 increase in 2022.

In total, the prize money on offer for tennis events this year is an 11.2% increase on 2022 and a 17.1% increase in the pre-pandemic Championships in 2019.

Djokovic is the red-hot favourite to win his eighth Wimbledon title, equalling Roger Federer’s all-time record at the All England Club.

And if he wins his 24th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, he will extend his already commanding lead in the sport’s all-time money earners list.

Djokovic has earned a staggering $169,762,762 in on-court earnings, with Nadal his nearest rival in the money stakes with a total of $134,640,71.

Federer is next in the all-time money list with $130,594,339 and Britain’s Andy Murray is fourth with on-court earnings of $63,728,554.

The rise in prize money is highlighted by a list that sees 14-time Grand Slam winner in fifth place with $43,280,489 and three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka next with $35,933,955 and Alexander Zverev just behind him at $34,601,406.

Djokovic could be on course to be the first place to break through the $200m barrier for prize money if he continues winning at his present rate.

The fact that he is playing fewer tournaments at the back end of his career may halt his cash windfalls, but the sum he has collected allows him to focus his attention on the major tournaments that will cement his legacy.

Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic has seen it all before. The former Wimbledon champion said: “He has this software in his head that he can switch when a grand slam comes.

“Grand slam is a different sport compared to other tournaments. The day we arrived here, he was better, he was more motivated, he was more hungry.

“He is not an easy guy,” Ivanisevic said. “Especially when something’s not going his way. But we are here to put our back (for him) and to get beaten.”

Djokovic apologised to Ivanesevic and his team after berating them during Sunday’s French Open final, with the former Wimbledon champion suggesting the Serbian can be a challenging character.

“He was torturing us, taking our nails off,” said Ivanesevic of his Paris experience with Djokovic.

“A lot more things, but I cannot tell you that. But we are still here, we’re alive. My heart is still OK. I’m an old man, I need to be careful of my heart.

“I’m very proud of him, especially the last two matches. He’s unbelievable, and he’s still moving like a cat on the court. He’s there. Like a ninja, he’s everywhere.

“He takes the legs, then he takes your soul, then he digs your grave and you have a funeral and you’re dead. Bye-bye. Thank you for coming.”