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By Nick Georgandis
© TennisNow.com
King Roger has dethroned the Talented Mr. Beckham as the most lucrative non-American athlete in the world.
While he’s won “only” one Grand Slam this season and dropped to No. 3 in the ATP rankings, Federer has surged to the top of the money-making list, raking in a cool $61.77 million. He’s second in the global rankings to golfer Tiger Woods.
Last year, Federer ranked ninth on the list. He surged ahead of the 2009’s leading cash cow, David Beckham, who fell to third in this year’s list at a meager $40.5 million.
Settling in as the new No. 2 is FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, a native of Argentina, who raked in $44 million.
Federer is one of three tennis players in the Top 20 – joined by Spain’s Rafael Nadal , ranked ninth with $27.47 million and Russia’s Maria Sharapova, 20th at 19.92 million.
Sharapova is the only woman on the list, slipping from 17th last year. Nadal was not among the Top 20 money makers in 2009. The money totals are a combination of athletes’ salaries (when applicable) and bonuses, winnings and bonuses along with endorsement estimates from Burns Entertainment and Sports Marketing.
Of the top 20, seven are professional soccer players. Woods remains the No. 1 earning athlete in the world at $90.5 million, down 10 percent from last year and 40 percent from 2008.
According to reports, Woods lost $22 million in endorsements during 2009. Federer is second just ahead of golfer Phil Mickelson ($61.7 million) and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. ($60.3 million). New South Beach resident LeBron James is fourth at $45.8 million, followed by baseball star Alex Rodriguez ($37 million).