Top ten tennis earners

It’s not just football that’s awash with sponsorship deals and rocketing salaries – the refined sport of tennis has gently been catching up. Join us as MSN Money takes a look at our favourite top ten tennis earners

1- Bjorn Borg

The Swedish ‘ice borg’ will probably most likely to go down in history as the unlucky inspiration for fiery John McEnroe’s temper culminating in the infamous ‘you cannot be serious’ show down. Despite this, the steely Swede managed to walk off with prize money totalling $3,609,896. And he even managed to find time to engineer his own clothing line which was de rigeur for about ten seconds in the 80s.

2- John McEnroe

The temperamental New Yorker is perhaps better known for his extraordinary (and often very entertaining) pitch outbursts than for his tennis. This is a shame because he was hugely gifted winning the US Title aged just 20. Maybe the prize money over his 15 year career consoles him – it weighs up as a hefty $12,539,827. And that's not all - since 1993 he has proved himself to be a respected television commentator.

3- Serena Williams

One half of the gifted Williams sisters, Serena’s success has been partly down to the encouragement (or domineering) of her father. Serena’s success enabled the Williams family to escape violent Compton for Palm Beach Gardens but the money that secures this luxury was largely due to a clothing sponsorship deal rather than her talent. And it is her $12 million deal with Puma that threatens to divert attention from her game today.

4- Anna Kournikova

If Serena Williams is the princess of lucrative sponsorship deals on the centre court then Anna Kournikova is the queen. Arguably, the young Russian is more well-known for her looks and celeb lifestyle than for her prowess on pitch but this hasn’t stopped her from raking it in to the tune of an estimated £8.5 million in prize money and sponsorship.

5- Andre Agassi

Cuddly Andre Agassi reinvented himself from young punk to gracious elder statesman of tennis smooth enough to (temporarily) win the arm of Brooke Shields. Agassi has earned over $25 million throughout his career, second only to Pete Sampras. In addition to this, Agassi also earns over $25 million a year through endorsements, the most by a tennis player and fourth in all sports.

6- Pete Sampras

The son of Greek immigrants won at least one title for 11 straight years and has seen Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and Andre Agassi crying off the courts. Despite his overwhelming success Sampras has often been criticised for his lack of charisma although we’re sure $43 million in career prize money must act as some comfort.

7-Fred Perry

OK, he’s dead but we had to get a Brit in here somewhere. And the legendary champion paved the way for later sports branding by lending his name to the infamous polo shirts that became the uniform of mods – and latterly and more controversially – skinheads.

8- Pat Cash

The mullet haired Australian won a total of 7 singles and 12 doubles titles during his career and now supplements his income by singing with INXS, jamming at events and working as a television commentator.

9- Boris Becker

The power serves and stealthy determination of the dedicated German paid dividends. The golden boy of tennis finished his career with 49 singles titles and 15 doubles titles. In total, Becker's career prize earnings added up to $25,080,956.

10- Billie Jean King

The legendary King was first female athlete to win over $100,000 prize money in a single season. And if that wasn’t enough Billie Jean King campaigned on behalf of women and their right to earn comparable money in tennis and other sports with her lobbying and dedication shattering many barriers.