Federer becomes richest tennis player in history

Roger Federer has become the world’s richest tennis player, with career prize money earnings listed as a staggering $US43.29 million ($AUS66.56 million).

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Federer’s passage into the third round of the ATP Madrid Masters event yesterday saw the Swiss player edge past former No.1 Pete Sampras of the United States.

Federer will take his earnings to $US43.5 million ($A66.88 million) should he win in Spain. Sampras earned $US43.27 million ($A66.53 million) in his career.

Federer and Sampras, with 13 and 14 Grand Slams win each, stand almost $US12 million ($A18.45 million) clear of third-placed Andre Agassi.

Current world No.1 Rafael Nadal stands eighth in the list with $US20.5 million ($A31.52 million) in earnings, while legends Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors do not even make it into the top 10.

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© 2008 AFP