Emma Raducanu just lost nearly half of her £152k Wimbledon prize — and it happened instantly! You won’t believe where the money went and how much actually landed in her pocket……
British tennis star Emma Raducanu made headlines during Wimbledon 2025 after a solid performance earned her £152,000 in prize money. However, her victory on the court came with a sharp financial sting, as almost half of her earnings were instantly deducted due to taxes and other obligations.
The 2021 US Open champion, still one of Britain’s most popular athletes, was eliminated in the fourth round of the prestigious tournament. While her exit marked the end of her hopes for another Grand Slam title, she still walked away with a substantial payout. Yet, as is customary for high-earning athletes in the UK, a significant portion of those winnings were promptly swallowed by income tax and related expenses.
In the UK, prize money is treated as income. For high earners like Raducanu, that means paying the top rate of income tax — currently 45% on earnings over £125,140. After accounting for taxes, agents’ fees, and training costs, it’s estimated that Raducanu could lose nearly half — around £68,000 to £76,000 — of her Wimbledon prize money. These figures don’t even account for her ongoing expenses, including a professional team, travel, and coaching, which are essential to maintaining her competitive edge.
The financial reality highlights a lesser-known aspect of professional tennis: while prize money headlines often appear massive, the net income for players can be substantially lower. This is especially true for players who rely on winnings to fund their careers. Fortunately for Raducanu, who has a wealth of lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Nike, Porsche, and British Airways, the prize money loss is less impactful to her overall earnings.
For context, Raducanu reportedly earned over £10 million in endorsements since her 2021 US Open triumph, making her one of the highest-paid female athletes globally. Still, the substantial tax deduction from her Wimbledon earnings may come as a surprise to fans who assume that all prize money goes directly into players’ bank accounts.
This financial hit also reignites discussions about how athlete earnings are taxed in the UK, and whether elite sports professionals should receive tax incentives given their role in promoting national pride and international recognition.
Despite the loss, Raducanu remains a crowd favorite and a key figure in British tennis. At just 22 years old, she has ample opportunity ahead to grow her legacy — both on the court and in her bank account. Wimbledon 2025 may not have ended with a trophy, but for Raducanu, it served as another valuable experience in her evolving career — albeit one with a notable financial deduction.
