Roger Federer is the world's highest-paid athlete for 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic knocked footballer Lionel Messi off top spot, according to the annual Forbes list released on Friday.
The Swiss tennis great, owner of a men's record 20 Grand Slam singles titles, earned $106.3m (£86.3m) in the last 12 months, including $100m (£81.2m) via endorsements, to move up four places and become the first player from his sport to top the list.
Football players Cristiano Ronaldo (£85.3m), Messi (£84.5m) and Neymar (£77.6m) and American basketball player LeBron James (£71.6m) rounded out the top five.
"The coronavirus pandemic triggered salary cuts for football 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.
"Roger Federer is the perfect pitchman for companies, resulting in an unparalleled endorsement portfolio of blue-chip brands worth $100m a year for the tennis great."
Japan's Naomi Osaka (£30.7m), who was ranked 29th on the list, surpassed fellow tennis player Serena Williams (£29.5m) as the world's highest-earning female athlete.
Osaka and Williams were the only women on the list.
Basketball players led all sports with 35 players among the top 100. American football occupied 31 spots, none higher than six-times Super Bowl champion Tom Brady (£36.5m) who was ranked 25th.
Football was the next most represented sport with 14 players, followed by tennis (six), boxing and mixed martial arts (five), golf (four), motor racing (three), and baseball and cricket with one each.
Sudiptasantra
624
cricketers after seeing it
Syd007
619
Neymar after hearing this- I'm the 3rd most paid when I spend 6 months in hospital 😂😂
SH3012
481
Ronaldo And Messi Are Not Only Rich By Wealth But Also Rich By Heart💓 Ronaldo Helps The Poor,Gives Donations,Go And Visit The Sick One,Gave Money To Fight CoronaVirus,Etc🔥 Messi Also Gave Money To Fight CoronaVirus,Helped Others,During His Weddings,He Asked To Give Donations To Orphanages Instead Of Getting Wedding Gifts,Etc🔥
HAMIDOOMAR
460
Do you know why CR7 is the highest- paid footballer? because CR7 is the G.O.A.T
raynknight
284
" Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved." - Whatever the amount Leo earns is his Hard earned and he deserves each n every penny of it but what is the most underrated thing about Leo is his 'Loyalty', He was first in his team to support the salary cut and trusting the process even when he has the most amount to lose and it's hell underappreciated. - Morally excellent people have a character made-up of virtues valued as good. They are honest, respectful, courageous and Loyal. - Leo for me has always been more than a Player , None can be like Leo, the last of his kind 🐐
Syd007
15
cricketers after seeing it
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Football is ❤️. cricket is boring nowadays.
fubakmnyz
12
Do you know why CR7 is the highest- paid footballer? because CR7 is the G.O.A.T
When messi became highest paid footballer then u guys say he only loves money not club.... So.... Now cr7 is highest paid.... So u guys say he is goat...... Hypocrite
Leomessi10goat
11
And Messi produces more than his money value.GOAT