Novak Djokovic prize money in 2015 crosses $5m mark following Monte Carlo win
Following victory at the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday and a ferocious start to 2015, Novak Djokovic has already earned more than $5m (£3.35m) in on-court prize money this year.
The Serb picked up €628,100 ($680,357) for victory over Tomas Berdych in the final, taking his total haul for the year to $5.3m.
The world number one's triumph in France extends his winning streak in 2015 to 17 matches and makes him the first tennis player in history to win the first three Masters events of the season, following victory at Indian Wells and Miami.
After a tight opening set and a slip up in the second, Djokovic reminded the Monte Carlo crowd of his prowess by sweeping Berdych away in the third by six games to three.
The impressive start to the year keeps him at the top of the tour's prize money leaderboard after finishing 2014 as the biggest earner with a total take of $11.6m.
The 27-year-old has now cemented his grip at the summit of the ATP's world rankings, adding 1,000 points to his name to stretch his lead over number two Roger Federer to more than 5,000 points.
With his total on-court earnings now standing at $77.7m, Djokovic is slowly closing in on Federer's status as the ATP Tour's biggest ever earner but still has some graft to put in before he reaches the $89.8m the Swiss master has now earned following his third-round exit in Monte Carlo.
However, Djokovic has drawn level with Federer when it comes to ATP Tour titles with 23 apiece – four behind Rafael Nadal's 27.
Nadal, beaten by Djokovic in the semi-finals, has slipped to fifth in the world this year behind the UK's Andy Murray and Japan's Kei Nishikori. Meanwhile, Djokovic appears to be on an unstoppable surge towards his ATP titles record.
The reigning world champion is on a staggering big match winning streak, having won the last 11 finals he's been involved in and triumphed in every major tournament – including the 2015 Australian Open and World Tour Finals – since the beginning of October.
He's earned that $5m.