Playing table tennis may not seem like a profitable profession, however, these players have built incredible careers in the sport. Although the popularity of table tennis has increased over time, it still lags behind other sports like basketball or football. In addition to their base pay, professional athletes also earn money through sponsorships, endorsements, prize money, and other sources. In this post, we’ll tell you the top 10 richest table tennis players in the world in 2024.
We may nevertheless classify table tennis as a popular sport on a global scale even if it is not as well-known as football, basketball, or regular tennis. It’s not only difficult and takes a lot of practice, but it’s also well-known around the world. The game is popular in places such as Europe and the United States of America, but mostly in China. However, table tennis players are still able to make some pretty significant cash from their efforts and achievements on the table. Here are the 10 richest table tennis players in the world.
10 Richest Table Tennis Players in the World 2024
- Ma Long ($20 million)
- Wang Liqin ($20 million)
- Chen Jing ($18 million)
- Jean-Michel Saive ($15 million)
- Jan-Ove Waldner ($10 million)
- Zhang Jike ($10 million)
- Timo Boll ($7 million)
- Fan Zhendong ($5 million)
- Wang Hao ($5 million)
- Liu Guoliang ($5 million)
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1. Ma Long
Ma Long is a world-renowned Chinese table tennis player. He is now rated number two in the world by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), having held the top place for a total of 64 months, which is the longest period of time for a male player in table tennis history. He is the only person to ever win a lifetime Double Grand Slam, among other world records.
Long made almost $250,000 in one season in 2013 solely by winning all the tournaments he entered. He became the first male player in table tennis history to win every singles championship (and second overall).
Ma Long is the richest table tennis player in the world with an estimated net worth of $20 million as of September 2024.
2. Wang Liqin
With an estimated net worth of $20 million, Wang Liqin is the second richest table tennis player in the world. Wang Liqin is a retired professional table tennis player from China. According to the ITTF World Ranking website as of January 2014, Wang Liqin is ranked as the world’s #12th-best Men’s Singles player (www.ittf.com).
He started playing at the age of six and was chosen in 1993, at the age of just 15, for the Chinese men’s national team. Wang earned the bronze medal in singles at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, as well as the gold medal in doubles at the Sydney, Australia, Summer Olympics of 2000. He is regarded as one of the greatest table tennis players in history, having held the number 2 spot for over two years. His playing technique, a shake hand grip, and demeanor while playing have brought him a lot of medals and overall good results.
Although retired, Wang Liqin has an estimated net worth of $20 million as of September 2024, making him one of the richest and most famous table tennis players in the world.
3. Chen Jing
Chen Jing is one of the richest table tennis players in the world with an estimated net worth of $18 million. Jing is a retired table tennis player and Olympic champion for China, and later Olympic medalist for Chinese Taipei. She received a gold medal in singles and a silver medal in doubles at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.
She has a net worth of $18 million as of September 2024, making her one of the richest female sports professionals in the world. At 51 years old, Chen Jing is the only female player who has cracked our list.
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4. Jean-Michel Saive
Jean-Michel Saive is a Belgian-born former professional table tennis player. Saive participated in seven Olympics in a row between 1988 and 2012. Jean-Michel Saive has an estimated net worth of close to $15 million, based on all of his stocks and belongings, such as luxury goods and houses that he owns. By the time he was 50, Saive had competed in seven consecutive Olympic Games, and he also won the singles event at the European Championship in 1994.
With an estimated net worth of $15 million, Saive is the fourth richest table tennis player in the world as of September 2024.
5. Jan-Ove Waldner
Jan-Ove Waldner is among the five men who have achieved a career grand slam in table tennis along with many national and international titles. With an estimated net worth of $10 million, he is one of the richest table tennis players in the world.
Now 56 years old and retired, Waldner has left behind a legacy that many sportsmen worldwide strive to achieve. Chinese people lovingly called him ‘Lao Wa’ (old Waldner) or Cháng Qiyang Shù, meaning ‘Evergreen tree’ (referring to his long career).
Jan-Ove Waldner is the only player to win an Olympic table tennis gold medal for a non-Asian country. Born in Sweden and now retired from professional play, Waldner still holds significant influence in the world of table tennis. The Swedish ex-professional is worth approximately $10 million in earnings, sponsorship deals, and brand promotions.
6. Zhang Jike
Zhang Jike is one of the best players in the world at table tennis. The 31-year-old accomplished the Grand Slam faster than any other player during the 2012 Olympic Games. He was ranked first in the world in December 2012 and is thought to be worth $10 million. He lost his prize money for “inappropriately celebrating” his victory in the Liebherr Men’s World Cup in 2014.
It’s plausible to believe that Zhang Jike deserves a position on this list, and having a net worth of almost $10 million surely doesn’t hurt either. Zhang Jike defeated three Olympic winners on his route to the fastest career Grand Slam in table tennis history.
In addition, Jike makes most of his wealth from the sponsorship deals he has. Butterfly sponsors every bat he uses.
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7. Timo Boll
Timo Boll is a three-time world No. 1 and has won the European Championship eight times. The 37-year-old currently plays for Borussia Düsseldorf, having one of the greatest rankings in Germany. He is estimated to be worth $7 million, making him one of Europe’s wealthiest table tennis players. His unique left-handed technique has piqued people’s interest – he is well-known for his speed.
8. Fan Zhendong
Fan Zhendong is a Chinese professional table tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 1 for men’s singles by the International Table Tennis Federation. After holding the No. 2 slot from November 2015 for 29 straight months, he rose to the top of the international rankings.
The famous Chinese professional table tennis player is now ranked third in the world in terms of fame. Even though he is young (just 22), his net worth isn’t as impressive as the others. However, taking into account the fact that he only recently began his profession, he manages to make a decent living. He has a unique style of playing table tennis, which made him win his precious title. He is estimated to be earning thousands of US dollars as income.
As of September 2024, his estimated net worth is $5 Million, making him one of the richest table tennis players in the world.
Zhendong makes most of his wealth from sponsorship and endorsement agreements with several businesses. After winning the 2018 world title, he and Stiga agreed to a three-year contract. Additionally, the Japanese firm Butterfly supports him. Zhendong advertises their tools and goods in the majority of his competitions.
9. Wang Hao
Wang Hao won the Table Tennis World Cup in 2007, 2008, and 2010. He achieved three World Cup victories between 2004 and 2012, making him one of the most accomplished table tennis players in the world. He lost his top spot in 2010 and Ma Long, another well-known table tennis player, took it over.
Hao has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of September 2024, which qualifies him for inclusion on our list of the wealthiest table tennis players.
10. Liu Guoliang
Liu Guoliang is one of the richest table tennis players in the world with an estimated net worth of $5 million. He is a retired Chinese table tennis player who has won all titles at major world tournaments. Guoliang has won titles at World Championships, World Cup, and Olympic Games. Many people think of him as one of the best players and managers in history. His estimated net worth of $5 million is more of a range than anything else.
He is the second person to win three major championships in a career (Olympic Gold, World Cup, World Championships).
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