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Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal: Tennis legends dominate on court again – but how do they compare financially?

June 13, 2017

Those who may have started to write the tennis obituaries of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have been forced into a rewrite so far this year, with both men sharing the first Grand Slams of 2017.

Federer spent much of 2016 sidelined but staged a remarkable comeback to capture the Australian Open in January, extending his record Grand Slam tally to 18.

Meanwhile, Nadal, who lost out to Federer in Melbourne, underlined his status as the King of Clay by winning an unprecedented 10th French Open title at Roland Garros this weekend – his first Grand Slam in four years.

The Spaniard now has 15 Grand Slam titles, second only to the Swiss.

The claim that both these men are two of the sport’s greatest ever players is undeniable.

But it’s not just on the court where they continue to dominate. Here we look at how off the court, their star powers show no signs of diminishing:

Career Earnings:

Federer

$104m in prize money. As mentioned before, Federer now has 18 Grand Slam titles as well as 26 ATP Masters 1000 titles and a record six year-end championship crowns.

Nadal

$86m in prize money. Nadal has powered his way to 15 Grand Slams and 30 ATP Masters 1000 titles.

Earnings this year:

Federer

$64M.

Federer roared back into the Tennis mainstream in January with his win at the Australian Open, before going on to pick up Masters titles in Cincinnati and Miami.

Nadal

$34M.

His profile was kept alive by a gold medal in the doubles at the Rio 2016 Olympics and then this year he pocketed $2.4m alone from his French Open triumph.

Kit deals:

Federer

The Swiss’ 10-year $100m deal with Nike was inked in 2008 and is due to come to expire at the end of this year. One would not bet against some form of extension, however, with his return to Wimbledon next month being highly anticipated.

Federer also has an association with Wilson, signing a “lifetime” deal with the racquet maker in 2006. The deal reportedly earns him $2m a year.

Nadal

Nike also have a fruitful relationship with Nadal, having signed up the Spaniard around the same time as Federer, reportedly for the same $10m a year figure. Not much to separate these two megastars, here.

Nadal’s 10-year racquet deal with Babalot is due to expire this year also.

Outside Endorsements:

Federer

Federer is arguably the most successful sportsman in terms of off-court endorsements, racking up almost $45m a year.

He has deals with the likes of Credit Suisse, Mercedes, Rolex, Lindt, Jura, Moet & Chandon, Sunrise and NetJets. His most recent deal was with pasta brand Barilla. The deal runs for more than five years and is expected to net Federer roughly $40 million.

Nadal

Has long standing deals with Telefonica, Banco Sabadell, Richard Mille, Tommy Hilfiger and more.

His new deal with Kia Motors runs through to 2020, having been renewed in 2015. Kia have been partnered with Nadal since 2004.

Charity work:

Federer

Established in 2003, the Roger Federer foundation aims to help disadvantaged children and to promote their access to education and sports. To date it has raised almost $40m, with around $30m going to development projects in Africa.

Nadal

Nadal set up Foundacion Rafael Nadal in 2007 to help with social work and development aid particularly amongst children worldwide. So far the foundation has opened two full Tennis academies, one in India and one in Spain.

What next?

Federer

The 35-year-old chose to miss out on the French Open to concentrate on winning his first Wimbledon crown since 2012.

Nadal

Now 31, Nadal will be boosted by his latest triumph in his quest to try and overtake Federer’s record haul.

But both men will surely be hoping a resurgence in form brings about contract renewals from Nike.

ATP Australian Open French Open Grand Slam Rafael Nadal Roger Federer Tennis Wimbledon