An innovative methodology was employed to identify the most searched athletes in a recent OLBG report titled “Most Loved Sports Stars.” The research commenced by referencing Sportico and Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes along with using Google’s keyword planner.
The results unveiled an interesting hierarchy of tennis stars in terms of online search popularity. Iga Swiatek emerged as the undisputed queen of online searches for female athletes, amassing a staggering 15.6 million Google searches. She was ranked 32nd among the most searched athletes in the combined list of men and women across all disciplines and 4th among tennis players.
However, the most searched tennis player was the reigning Wimbledon champion, Carlos Alcaraz with 60.0 million searches closely followed by Novak Djokovic with 58.4 million searches. They held the 7th and 8th position respectively in the overall list. Rafael Nadal with 26.2 million searches was the third most popular athlete among tennis players. He held the 18th position in the combined list.
Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, & Emma Raducanu are the top 3 most searched female athletes of 2023.
Naomi Osaka & Jessica Pegula also made the top 10.
1. Iga Swiatek – 15.6m (tennis)
2. Coco Gauff – 10.1m (tennis)
3. Emma Raducanu – 9.6m (tennis)
4. Alexia Putellas – 7.8m (football)… pic.twitter.com/p6Y0NjOsKB— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 24, 2023
Interestingly the top 2 most searched female athletes were from tennis. American prodigy Coco Gauff, with a remarkable 10.1 million Google searches followed Swiatek making her the fifth most popular tennis player and 47th in the combined list for all disciplines men and women. She had a breakthrough season this year with a sensational victory at the US Open, claiming the title at just 19 years of age.
These athletes have not only made history on the court but have also solidified their positions as influential figures in the world of sports and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of millions worldwide.
Top 5 most-followed active tennis players on Instagram
Instagram is an excellent platform for fans to connect with their favorite athletes. Here are the top 5 most-followed tennis players on Instagram as per October 26, 2023.
Emma Raducanu, the British sensation, has rapidly gained a following of 2.4 million on Instagram. Her meteoric rise to tennis stardom at the 2021 US Open, where she became the first British women’s champion in decades, has made her an exciting and inspiring figure to watch.
Naomi Osaka, hailing from the United States, has accumulated 2.7 million followers on Instagram. Her social media presence highlights her strong support for social issues, making her a prominent figure.
Carlos Alcaraz, the rising tennis star from Spain and no. 2 in the world, has garnered 4.3 million followers on Instagram. Known for his incredible talent and youthful persona, Alcaraz captivates fans with his tennis journey and glimpses of his life both on and off the court.
Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis sensation and the current world no. 1 maintains a strong Instagram presence with 14 million followers. On his Instagram, Djokovic shares not only his tennis achievements but also his personal and philanthropic endeavors, making him a multifaceted sports figure.
Rafael Nadal, the tennis icon from Spain, boasts a significant following of 20.5 million on Instagram. With his impressive tennis skills and glimpses into his life on and off the court, Nadal keeps his fans engaged and informed, even when he has been recuperating from injury.