How Novak Djokovic Has Amassed an Astonishing Amount of Prize Money

Novak Djokovic may need a few years to catch Roger Federer in Grand Slam titles won. However, Djokovic could eclipse Federer in career prize money in a few months and become tennis' first $100 million man this summer. 

In the last five years, much of the tennis world focused on the Big Four: Djokovic, Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Meanwhile, Djokovic surged up the career prize money list. He's earned $96,583,278, second only to Roger Federer ($97,855,881).

Whoa. Federer has been on the ATP World Tour five years longer than Djokovic. A 17-time Grand Slam champion, Federer has won 369 more matches and 27 more titles than Djokovic. Yet Djokovic could pass Federer on the all-time career prize money list by spring?

How did that happen?

Djokovic dominates the ATP tour, and he's peaking at the right time in the perfect era to strike it rich. 

As Robin Leach, the famed host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, might say, "It's champagne wishes and caviar dreams" for Djokovic. 

With Moet as a sponsor of the ATP tour, spraying champagne is often part of trophy ceremonies. As can be seen in a picture below, sipping bubbly is becoming a ritual for Djokovic.  

The numbers are mind-blogging. Get this: Djokovic has earned $20 million more in prize money than Nadal ($76,023,547). Andy Murray and Djokovic were born a week apart, yet Djokovic has earned more than twice as much as Murray ($43,601,346).

Last year, Djokovic earned a single-season record of $21,646,145. The rest of the Big Four earned a combined $21.4 million last season. Djokovic earned more money last year than the $20,640,030 Andy Roddick earned in his entire career.

GABRIEL BOUYS/Getty Images

The big payouts are byproducts of Djokovic's pursuit of perfection. He is constantly working on his game, always trying to improve.

This ongoing quest to become a better player has put Djokovic within six Grand Slams of Federer. That number seems to impress Djokovic more than the prize money. During the 2015 Shanghai Masters, Djokovic spoke with Agence France-Presse (h/t MailOnline): “Nothing is impossible. ... I have that kind of mindset. I know that it's still a long way, but it's one of the things that motivates me to keep going."

For a while, it looked as if Federer would be the player who would reach $100 million first. 

However, Federer recently underwent knee surgery and will have at least a month away from the tour. Even if he were healthy, it's unlikely Federer would top Djokovic in wins or prize money this season.

While Federer recuperates, Djokovic's earnings will accumulate. 

All the Grand Slams continue to increase prize money. The U.S. Open leads all Slams and has increased its prize money by more than 67 percent in the last three years. 

Then there are bonuses for top players. Djokovic received more than $2 million extra from the ATP bonus pool. In 2014, Serena Williams won the U.S. Open Series en route to winning the singles title. She won $4 million, a record for biggest single payday in tennis history. 

In 2013, Williams earned $12.4 million in prize money. That set a WTA Tour single-season record. Djokovic has earned in excess of $12 million five seasons in a row. 

It's not just the Grand Slams. Two years ago, reported by the New York Times, the ATP announced a 14 percent annual increase at its nine Masters 1000 events. Djokovic won six Masters tournaments in 2015.

1. Roger Federer	$97,855,881
2. Novak Djokovic	$96,583,278
3. Rafael Nadal	$76,023,547
4. Andy Murray	$43,601,346
5. Pete Sampras	$43,280,489
6. Andre Agassi	$31,152,975
7. David Ferrer	$28,648,017
8. Boris Becker	$25,080,956
9. Tomas Berdych	$24,119,144
10. Yevgeny Kafelnikov	$23,883,797

He's winning everything and amassing an astonishing amount of prize money at warp speed. 

In 2009, Federer became the first player to reach $50 million in prize money. Djokovic has earned $80 million since then.  

Last year, the International Tennis Federation approved an increase in prize money on the lower-level pro circuit tours.  

The paltry prize money for lower-ranked players has come under fire in recent years. It's even been mentioned as fertile ground for corruption such as match-fixing. 

Federer supports increased prized money at lower levels. However, in an interview with Kamakshi Tandon for Tennis.com, Federer said he prefers more money going to winners instead of indiscriminate distribution across the board. 

"[It] should be a winner's tour, in my opinion, so the winners should get more," Federer said. "I'm more [in] favor that the second, third round, and all this stuff gets bumped up."

The later rounds—quarterfinals, semifinals and finals—is where players get the big money.

Djokovic committed 100 unforced errors in a five-set match against Gilles Simon in the fourth round of the 2016 Australian Open. The difference between losing in the fourth round and winning it all: $3.6 million.

Simon left Melbourne with $200,000 and a nice story to tell his grandkids. Djokovic got $3.8 million. 

Expect the cash to keep coming. Djokovic will be the favorite to defend his titles at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome. If he does, he'll roll into Roland Garros in May with the French Open and the $100 million mark on the line.

 

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