Roger Federer jumps to #5 on Forbes highest paid athlete in the world

World No. 2 Roger Federer is second to none when it comes to the title of highest-paid tennis player.

Maria Sharapova retains her title as the world's highest-paid female athlete. The 17-time Grand Slam champion earned $67 million over the past year, according to Forbes Magazine's 2015 World's Highest-Paid Athletes List, which makes Federer the world's highest-paid tennis player. 

For an astounding 11th consecutive year, Sharapova is the world's highest-paid female athlete, earning $29.7 million, which puts her at No. 26 among all athletes.


Sharapova ranks ahead of world No. 1 Serena Williams, who is the second highest-paid woman athlete with $24.6 million, and No. 47 overall. Sharapova earned $23 million in endorsements, which is $10 million more than Williams earned from sponsorship deals. The 20-time Grand Slam champion earned $11 million in prize money—$5 million more than the Russian. 

Federer, who cashed in $9 million in prize money and $58 million in endorsements, ranks as the fifth highest-paid athlete in the world in Forbes's 2015 Highest Paid Athletes List. A year ago, Federer was seventh in overall earnings at $56.2 million. 

Boxer Floyd Mayweather, who earned $300 million during the past year, leads the list followed by the man he defeated, Manny Pacquiao, who ranks second with $160 million. Soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo ($79.6 million) and Lionel Messi ($73.8 million) are third and fourth on the overall list followed by Federer at No. 5. 

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who made $48.2 million, ranks No. 13 overall on the list. 

Rafael Nadal, who earned $32.5 million total, is No. 22. Nadal cashed in $4.5 million in prize money and $28 million in endorsements. Forbes reports it calculates the annual earnings figures to include "all salaries, prize money and bonuses paid out between June 1, 2014, and June 1, 2015. 

Endorsement incomes are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and licensing fees for the 12 months through June 1 based on conversations with dozens of industry insiders."

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