A new study has revealed the most famous sports stars to come from Australia.
The study by Australian sports experts BettingTop10 Australia factored in multiple Australian sports stars’ social media presence, engagement, and Google search data to create a definitive index ranking their fame and influence.
In first place with an influence score of 87.53 out of 100 is Formula 1 driver and 8-time Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo. With over 13 million followers across social media, the Perth native has the equivalent of over half the population of Australia following him online.
Number two on the list is professional tennis player Nick Kyrgios, scoring 80.33 out of 100. The controversial tennis star withdrew from Wimbledon at the start of July, but this hasn’t stopped him from being the most searched sports star on the list, with over 311,000 searches originating from Australia alone over the last 12 months.
Third place goes to professional basketball player Ben Simmons with an influence score of 77.85. The Brooklyn Nets player has the second-highest number of followers across social media, with over 8.8 million followers.
Close behind in fourth place, with an influence score of 75.21 out of 100, is footballer Sam Kerr. The Chelsea forward’s various official social media pages have almost 1.8 million followers.
The remainder of the top ten features Pat Cummins in fifth place, scoring 75.18 out of 100. In sixth place is Ellyse Perry, with a score of 74.77 out of 100.
Seventh place belongs to Robert Whittaker, scoring 69.89 out of 100. In eighth place, with a score of 69.6, is Ash Barty.
Ninth place goes to Alex de Minaur, scoring 68.66 out of 100. Rounding off the list in tenth place is Nathan Lyon, with a score of 65.06 out of 100.
Interestingly, the most searched sports star on the list was Nick Kyrgios, racking up 311,343 searches related to the tennis star over the last 12 months from Australia alone. Daniel Ricciardo is behind in second place for searches, with 191,179 searches originating from Australia alone over the last 12 months.
| Rank | Name | Score (/100) |
| 1. | Daniel Ricciardo | 87.53 |
| 2. | Nick Kyrgios | 80.33 |
| 3. | Ben Simmons | 77.85 |
| 4. | Sam Kerr | 75.21 |
| 5. | Pat Cummins | 75.18 |
| 6. | Ellyse Perry | 74.77 |
| 7. | Robert Whittaker | 69.89 |
| 8. | Ash Barty | 69.60 |
| 9. | Alex de Minaur | 68.66 |
| 10. | Nathan Lyon | 65.08 |
A spokesperson for BettingTop10 Australia commented on the findings, saying:
“The study highlights the extraordinary impact and influence these sportspeople have garnered, solidifying their status as true icons in the world of sports.”
“The study’s results shed light on the remarkable resonance and connection that these sports stars have established with fans worldwide, making them incredibly prominent figures within the sports community and Australian culture as a whole.”
