Roger Federer is the world's highest-paid athlete for 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic knocked football's Lionel Messi off top spot, according to the annual Forbes list.
The Swiss tennis great, owner of a men's record 20 Grand Slam singles titles, earned $106.3 million (£86.5m) in the last 12 months, including $100 million (£81.3m) via endorsements, to move up four places and become the first player from his sport to top the list.
Cristiano Ronaldo (£85.4m), Messi (£84.6m) and Neymar (£77.6m) and American basketball player LeBron James (£71.2m) rounded out the top five.
"The coronavirus pandemic triggered salary cuts for soccer stars Messi and Ronaldo, clearing the way for a tennis player to rank as the world's highest-paid athlete for the first time," said Kurt Badenhausen, senior editor at Forbes.
Japan's Naomi Osaka (£30.4m), who was ranked 29th on the list, surpassed fellow tennis player Serena Williams (£29.3m) as the world's highest-earning female athlete.
Osaka and Williams were the only women on the list.
Football was the next most represented sport with 14 players, followed by tennis (six), boxing and mixed marital arts (five), golf (four), motor racing (three), and baseball and cricket with one each.
Latest Stories
-
Let’s prioritize research quality in higher education institutions for industrial growth-Prof. Nathaniel Boso
5 hours -
Herman Suede is set to release ‘How Dare You’ on April 24
9 hours -
Heal KATH: Kuapa Kokoo, Association of Garages donate 120k to support project
9 hours -
KNUST signs MOU with Valco Trust Fund, Bekwai Municipal Hospital to build student hostel
9 hours -
The influence Ronaldo has on people, Cadman Yamoah will have same on the next generation – Coach Goodwin
10 hours -
Gender Advocate Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee Wins prestigious Merck Foundation Awards
11 hours -
South Africa bursary scandal suspects granted bail
11 hours -
Ecobank successfully repays $500m Eurobond due April 18
11 hours -
Re: Doe Adjaho, Torgbui Samlafo IV, call for Unity among Paramountcies in Anlo
11 hours -
Extortion and kidnap – a deadly journey across Mexico into the US
11 hours -
Rihanna says fashion has helped her personal ‘rediscovery’ after having children
12 hours -
Development Bank Ghana targets GH¢1bn funding for commercial banks in 2024
12 hours -
Shatta Movement apologises to Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled after backlash
13 hours -
Sammy Gyamfi writes: Tema-Mpakadan Railway Project; A railway line to nowhere
13 hours -
Bright Simons: Is the World Bank saving or harming Ghana?
13 hours