That we are facing two generational giants was already quite clear. Without the need for the splendid show in the Monte Carlo final to reaffirm to the tennis world that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner come from another planet. And they earn equally stellar amounts: well within the top ten in the history of this sport, at not even 25 years of age. Both the Spaniard and the Italian have moved up one position at the end of the Monte Carlo Masters and now find themselves in fifth and seventh place overall, respectively. While we are still in the launch phase of their careers, this is a track record with rare precedents even among the big names of the past. Both in terms of sports and economics.
The premise is that certainly today’s tennis enjoys the richest business turnover ever, with prize money continuously growing even outside of Grand Slam tournaments. Yet the figure remains impressive: Sinner, the new number one in the ATP ranking, has so far earned 62,321,898 million dollars in prizes. Already ahead of Aryna Sabalenka – who closes the special ranking of the top ten, one of the two women on the list, at 49,026,518 dollars –, Daniil Medvedev (51,264,709) and Alexander Zverev (61,669,965). Just ahead of the South Tyrolean, by about 2.3 million, is Andy Murray. And just above Alcaraz: 64,948,871 million dollars for the Spaniard, not even 23 years old.
It is clear that for both this is just the beginning of the climb. In fourth place, soon within reach, is Serena Williams with 94,816,730 million. Then here come the big three, who outpace all the others: Roger Federer closed his more than twenty-year career with 130,594,339 million dollars in his pocket, Rafa Nadal precedes him slightly (134,946,100). While Novak Djokovic is by far the wealthiest tennis player ever based on this criterion – and probably also overall – having totaled a staggering 193,215,570. A numerical gap, compared to the eternal rivals, comparable also for longevity on the court, which is explained precisely by the progressive surge in total prize money over the last decade. With the eternal Nole still active.
In short, winning is not just a matter of sporting prestige: economic incentives are not lacking, even in the “minor” tournaments – if we can consider those of the Masters 1000 circuit as minor. Also for Sinner and Alcaraz. And the proclaimed duopoly, celebrated by the embrace of the two champions at the end of the Monte Carlo final, seems poised to continue renewing, improving, and enriching itself one set at a time. To date, Jannik has won 27 titles in his career. Carlos 26. Dominance for two, and counting.