Carlos Alcaraz’s stunning French Open victory might not be as lucrative for the Spanish wunderkind as was first thought. News has emerged that due to stringent French tax laws, Alcaraz will be forced to cough up as much as 46% of his winnings to the French Treasury.
Alcaraz earned $2,900,000 for winning the five-set epic against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros last weekend. Tennis players pay tax on their winnings in the country they play in, but do not then pay extra tax in their home nation. As a result, and as reported in elEconomista.es, the 22-year-old could lose up to 46% of his prize money.
The news was announced on El Economista’s X account, which stated:
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"Carlos Alcaraz's 46% of Roland Garros prize money is lost: the Treasury takes more than €1.18 million."
Responding to the story, Holger Rune, the World No. 9, confirmed the news, but suggested that in France, the tax percentage could be even higher. Rune stated on X:
Adding to the news, TennisMedia's X account confirmed that Alcaraz's French Open final opponent, Jannik Sinner, will also suffer from a similar tax burden. Sinner earned $1.28 million for finishing runner-up and would need to pay close to $600,000 in tax.
"Sinner, who finished as the runner-up, will face the same tax deduction on his €1.28 million (£1.07 million) prize. Tennis players are taxed based on the location where prize money is earned, and they are not required to pay income tax again in their home countries for those particular earnings."
The actual amount Alcaraz must pay could be as much as $1.4 million, an astonishing sum. However, the now five-time Major champion has already pocketed close to $45 million in his short career.
Carlos Alcaraz's earning potential over the next 10 years is exceptional
Carlos Alcaraz could become tennis' greatest ever earner. In a strange twist of fate, Alcaraz won his fifth Major on Sunday at 22 years, one month, and three days old, which was precisely the same age at which his compatriot and mentor, Rafael Nadal, won his fifth Major.
However, Alcaraz has earned $14 million more than Nadal at this stage in his career, even after inflation. He has some way to go to match Nadal's career earnings of approximately $135 million, but is on his way. Despite this, Alcaraz insists he's not a big spender, telling the Tennis Channel last year, as reported by Express.co.uk, that he has simple tastes:
“Maybe not after every big win, but for example, at the Grand Slams, if I reach the semifinals, I like to buy myself a new pair of sneakers. If I feel like I had a good season, at the end of the year I'll buy myself a nice watch.”
Carlos Alcaraz could bypass Nadal's achievements. Nadal had several injury issues at the end of his career, and also had to contend with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as main rivals. If Alcaraz can stay healthy, he has every chance of matching Nadal's 22 Major titles and even beating Novak Djokovic's record 25 Grand Slams.
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