Unleashing their power, agility, and skill on the tennis courts, these iconic athletes have captured our hearts with their unmatched talent. But what happens when these tennis superstars step off the court? It turns out they aren’t just champions in sports; they’re also thriving entrepreneurs who have found incredible success outside of the tennis world.
From building global brands to making impactful contributions off-court, many tennis icons are proving that their victories extend far beyond the confines of a racket and a net.
The tennis calendar takes up much of the year for stars at the top of the game. The grand slam events are scattered across the year with numerous ATP events surrounding them. The Australian Open takes place in January, with the Franch Open at Roland Garros following in May, and Wimbledon in July. The US Open, which rounds out the grand slam calendar, has concluded for 2023, as Novak Djokovic took the headline men’s singles title. Therefore, between now and the slam in Australia in January, the stars have plenty of time to focus on their business goals.
Naomi Osaka, who features below, is one star who could sustain her success on the court with major wins next year. The likes of Aryna Sabalenka are predicted to provide the strongest opposition for Osaka according to the odds offered when betting on tennis with Betfair. The Belarusian is offered at 11/2 to win at Roland Garros in 2024 which makes her one of the key favourites.
But with Osaka’s previous success, as well as her accomplishments off the court, it seems that little will phase the 25-year-old. Without further ado let’s take a look at who joins her on the list of tennis icons who have seen major success away from the courts.
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka is undoubtedly one of the leading women’s tennis players currently, and she is still in the early stages of her career. She has recorded four grand slam victories so far but did not compete in the US Open this year after recently giving birth.
Though she did not have the chance to increase her prize earnings for the year, her business ventures off the court mean that she is not reliant on swinging a racket to maintain a lucrative income.
Osaka has established a successful career on and off the court and she launched an athlete management company ‘Evolve’ in 2022. The agency aims to put athletes at the forefront of their own commercial partnerships and helps them to make an impact on the wider world. Rather than simply being assets for hire, Evolve empowers athletes to be ambassadors who can influence change and grow their own individual brands within their sports and beyond.
Osaka’s Evolve launch has been a huge success in its early days as it helped her become the highest-earning female athlete over a single year in 2022 with income amounting to around £40 million. World number five Ons Jabeur has already joined Evolve and several other stars have followed her, which has helped make a huge success of the athlete management agency so far.
Not only this, but Osaka’s endorsement deals, TV appearances and activism work make her a force to be reckoned with and we can expect great things from this remarkable young athlete-turned-entrepreneur.
Bjorn Borg
Bjorn Borg is a retired tennis player who was incredibly successful throughout his career, with 11 grand slam titles to his name. The Swedish star is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and he was once the record grand slam holder, but he went on to maintain his success beyond his tennis career.
After retiring from professional tennis in 1983, Borg embarked on a new journey and found prosperity in various ventures. Borg launched an eponymous clothing brand back in 1989, and it has grown to be incredibly popular since.
The brand began with a focus on luxury sportswear but has since expanded to design underwear and bags. The company has stores in seven different countries including Borg’s native Sweden and the Netherlands. Borg sold the naming rights for the company to World Brand Management for around £14 million in 2006, a significant sum at the time, but in hindsight, the company has gone on to record annual revenues of over £70 million.
In addition to his clothing line, Borg also delved into the world of business by investing in several successful enterprises. His keen eye for opportunity allowed him to make wise investments that yielded significant returns. From real estate to technology startups, Borg proved himself as an astute businessman time and time again.
Furthermore, following his retirement from professional tennis, Bjorn Borg dedicated much of his time to philanthropy. He founded several charitable organisations aimed at helping underprivileged children around the world. Through these initiatives, he has made a lasting impact on countless lives and continues to inspire others to give back.
Serena Williams
Beyond her unparalleled athleticism, Serena is a savvy entrepreneur who has built an empire outside of tennis.
One of her most notable ventures is Serena Ventures, an investment firm she founded in 2014. With a mission to invest in companies that align with her values and personal interests, Serena Ventures has backed numerous startups across various industries. From women-centric brands like Bumble to innovative tech companies like Coinbase and Billie, Serena’s portfolio showcases her commitment to empowering others and driving positive change.
In addition to investing, Serena has made significant strides as a fashion designer. Her clothing line, aptly named ‘Serena,’ offers stylish yet functional pieces for women of all sizes. Through this venture, she aims to promote body positivity and inclusivity while creating fashionable apparel that empowers women both on and off the court.
Furthermore, Serena has conquered the beauty industry with her cosmetics brand, Serena Skin. Focusing on clean beauty products formulated with natural ingredients, Serena aims to enhance skincare routines while prioritising sustainability.
Beyond these remarkable endeavours, Serena’s influence extends into philanthropy as well. She actively supports initiatives such as The Yetunde Price Resource Center (YPRC), which provides support for victims of violence in underserved communities.
From investments to fashion and beyond – there seems to be no limit for Serena Williams when it comes to achieving success outside of tennis.
Roger Federer
Roger Federer, the Swiss tennis player who has captured the hearts of millions with his exquisite skills on the court, is not only a champion athlete but also a shrewd businessman. While his tennis prowess has earned him numerous titles and accolades, Federer’s success extends far beyond the boundaries of the tennis court.
Off-court, Federer has made some astute business moves that have cemented his status as one of the wealthiest athletes in the world. One notable venture is his partnership with renowned luxury brand Rolex. As their global ambassador since 2006, Federer represents elegance and excellence – qualities that mirror both himself and Rolex.
In addition to endorsing luxury brands, Federer has also invested in various businesses. He co-founded Laver Cup, an annual team tournament inspired by golf’s Ryder Cup. The event features some of the biggest names in tennis competing against each other for glory. This initiative showcases Federer’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to elevating the sport he loves.
Moreover, Roger launched his own clothing line, RF, which embodies his personal style and class. The brand offers an exclusive range of apparel and accessories that reflect Federer’s sophisticated taste both on and off the court.
Final thoughts
These stars are examples of top players from both the men’s and women’s side of the game, past and present, who have found further success outside of tennis. Their successes off the pitch have secured them a significant level of income which has allowed them to live a life of luxury, which only the most successful business people can experience.
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