Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner walked away from Roland Garros 2025 with impressive paychecks — $2.9 million for Alcaraz as the French Open champion and $1.4 million for Sinner as a semifinalist. But despite the hefty winnings, the two tennis stars are set to lose nearly half of their earnings — and not because of lavish spending or agent fees. The biggest culprit? Taxes.
The Hidden Cost of Victory
International tennis players competing in Grand Slam tournaments often face steep tax deductions based on the country where the event is held. In the case of the French Open, hosted in Paris, athletes are subject to France’s high-income tax rate. With top marginal rates reaching up to 45%, plus additional social charges, a significant portion of their winnings is claimed by the French government.
For Alcaraz, who earned approximately $2.9 million for his title-winning performance, the deductions could slash his take-home pay to around $1.5–$1.6 million after taxes. Sinner, who made the semifinals, is looking at similar reductions on his $1.4 million prize — bringing his net earnings to somewhere close to $750,000.
International Tax Complexity
The situation gets even more complex when considering double taxation treaties. Countries like Spain and Italy — home nations of Alcaraz and Sinner respectively — may also tax a portion of their foreign earnings, depending on how treaties with France are interpreted and applied. While most treaties aim to avoid taxing the same income twice, athletes often still face additional home-country tax obligations on global income, even after paying foreign taxes.
Not Just Alcaraz and Sinner
This isn’t a new phenomenon in tennis. Top players have historically faced significant tax bites when competing abroad, particularly in countries like France and the UK. Rafael Nadal, for instance, has openly discussed the complexities of managing tax responsibilities across the global tennis circuit, once even opting out of certain tournaments due to unfavorable tax implications.
The Bigger Picture: Earnings Beyond the Court
While prize money is a major source of income for tennis players, most top-ranked athletes earn significantly more through endorsements, appearance fees, and sponsorships. For example, both Alcaraz and Sinner have lucrative deals with global brands like Nike, Rolex, and Lavazza. These endorsement deals are typically taxed based on residency and corporate structuring, allowing for potentially more favorable financial arrangements than tournament winnings.
Still Worth It?
Even with the nearly 50% cut, Alcaraz and Sinner will pocket more in two weeks than most people earn in years.
But their situations highlight a broader issue in professional sports — the fine balance between global exposure and financial optimization. With careers that can be short and unpredictable, understanding the tax implications of every match becomes as crucial as the game plan on the court.
So while the trophies and headlines may go to the victors, the taxman always gets his share — and in the case of the French Open, it’s a very large one.
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