Jannik Sinner is leading the ATP in what matters most in 2024

Tennis players want to win, of course. They want to ascend to a top-ten ranking and earn ranking points in which to reach that lofty goal. They are great at what they do and most work extremely hard to get even better. Playing one's best means getting the glory of being ranked high.

But make no mistake that professional tennis players also participate in the sport because that is how they earn a living. Winning means ranking points, sure, but it also means more money. Jannik Sinner won his first Grand Slam event in 2024 when he took home the trophy at the Australian Open. He also made $2.1 million for doing so.

The Italian has already won three titles this year and he has made more than $4 million overall. That number ranks first on the ATP and Sinner is well clear of the second-biggest earner on the tour. One familiar name is completely missing from the top ten earners this year so far. Here is who has made the most in 2024 ahead of the French Open.

Jannik Sinner tops the earners list so far in 2024 on the ATP tour

No. 10 - Taylor Fritz ($1,506,282)

Fritz has only won one title in 2024 - the Delray Beach Open - but he has made inroads at several other events. Perhaps most importantly, he has made deep runs at several clay-court tournaments. If he can keep doing that, he will make a lot more money in his career.

No. 9 - Hubert Hurkacz ($1,553,526)

Like Fritz, Hurkacz has only one title in 2024 as well. He did make the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, though. Deep runs in Grand Slams will pay good money.

No. 8 - Alex de Minaur ($1,828,101)

De Minaur started the year well though he has faded a bit of late. He defeated Rafael Nadal in Barcelona before getting dismantled by Nadal in Madrid. He has one title this year and has played a bunch of matches with a record of 25-10.

No. 7 - Carlos Alcaraz ($1,908,621)

Alcaraz has not had the year he hoped so far. He has dealt with a couple of injuries and most of his prize money comes from winning Indian Wells. He won't be 100 percent for the French Open either, most likely.

No. 6 - Andrey Rublev ($2,041,209)

The bombastic Rublev has won two titles in 2024. He began the year by winning in Hong Kong and then recently won the Madrid Masters. He could be dangerous on the clay of Roland Garros.

No. 5 - Stefanos Tsitsipas ($2,247,402)

Tsitsipas might also be a dangerous player at the French Open as he is good on clay courts. His only title so far has been at the Monte-Carlo Masters but he was the runner-up in Barcelona. Roland Garros could be wide open this year with a hobbling Nadal and an underachieving Novak Djokovic, so Tsitsipas could break through. Also, Djokovic has not played enough and not well enough to be a top-ten earner so far this year.

No. 4 - Casper Ruud ($2,362,517)

Ruud just keeps chugging along and staying relatively quiet while continuing to make good money. He has been a four-time finalist this year, including winning the Barcelona Open. He made more as the runner-up in Monte-Carlo the week before, though.

No. 3 - Daniil Medvedev ($2,591,709)

Medvedev is not a huge fan of the clay-court season as he does not do as well on the surface. He actually has not won an event this year, but he was the runner-up in Melbourne which earned him $1,166,963. He was also the runner-up at Masters 1000 Indian Wells.

No. 2 - Alexander Zverev ($3,328,294)

Zverev has made a decent amount from doubles, taking home $116,097. That has augmented his overall play, but he also won the Italian Open which earned him more than a million dollars. He was a semifinalist at the Australian Open and Miami Open.

No. 1 - Jannik Sinner ($4,455,845)

As previously mentioned, Sinner has won three titles with nearly half his income coming from winning the Australian Open. His hip injury could keep him from being a threat at the French Open, however. Should he do decently well and Djokovic falter relatively early, Sinner will take over the ATP No. 1 ranking.

More tennis news and analysis: