Tennis Stars and The Watches They Wear
Step into the dazzling world of tennis stars and their timepieces, where speed and precision on the court are matched only by the elegance and sophistication on their wrists. Join us as we serve up a delightful showcase of the wristwatches adorning the wrists of your favorite tennis champions.
What are the tennis legends, current stars, and up-and-comers in the world of tennis wearing on their wrist– many of whom are friends of watch brands or watch brand ambassadors? Maybe you’ve wondered what is Roger Federer’s watch or Rafael Nadal’s watch. In fact, athlete watches are often sought after by followers of the star. Here, we take a look at a host of tennis stars and the watches they wear.
Rafael Nadal and Richard Mille
Rafael Nadal’s watch of choice is a super expensive piece built by Richard Mille, a brand that insists that all of its brand ambassadors wear their watches during play. Rafael Nadal is one of the most successful tennis players to date and also one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. The Spanish-born Nadal wears his $725,000 RM 27-03 watch on the courts during play and off the courts, as well. It is a bright orange watch built to withstand the G forces and pounding it takes as Nadal whips the tennis ball back and forth across the courts. The movement inside is cased in a secondary cage that offers a little sway with the movement of the wrist so that it doesn’t break.
Roger Federer and Rolex
Roger Federer’s watch of choice is Rolex. Considered one of the greatest tennis athletes of all time, Federer is a Career Grand Slam winner – and a friend of the brand for Rolex. It is a fitting relationship not only because Federer and Rolex are on a never-ending quest for perfection but also because both are Swiss. Federer’s watch of choice: a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust. He’s been spotted wearing the 41mm version in two-tone steel and 18-karat yellow gold with an Oyster bracelet.
Rolex is easily the biggest player in the watch world to be involved with tennis and has been for more than 40 years. It is the Official Timekeeper of Wimbledon, the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, and of many other tournaments around the world. As such, the brand has a host of tennis stars on its roster, including not only Roger Federer but also Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Grigor Dimitrov, Caroline Wozniacki (who has been seen wearing an 18-carat Everose gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller), Nitto, and many more – almost a dozen in total.
Bianchet and Alexander Bublik
Bianchet, the Swiss luxury watchmaker, has announced the tennis sensation Alexander Bublik as its new brand ambassador after his triumphant win at the Open Sud de France 2024, adding a fourth trophy to his accolades. At just 23 years old, Bublik has already reached a career-high ranking of world No. 23 and is the top player from Kazakhstan, embodying the excellence and passion that Bianchet values. His powerful serve and formidable two-handed backhand, along with his dynamic play, have drawn global attention.
Notably, Bublik has sported Bianchet’s timepieces, including the Flying Tourbillon Grande Date and the Tourbillon Openwork B1.618—both models exemplifying the Golden Ratio for aesthetic and functional harmony. These watches have withstood the rigors of Bublik’s play, resisting shocks up to 5000G, and demonstrating the resilience of the brand’s engineering, particularly its shock-resistant flying tourbillon movement. With this partnership, Bianchet celebrates not just their technological feats but also the shared ethos of pushing limits, as Bublik continues to inspire with his dedication on the court.
Serena Williams and Audemars Piguet
An Audemars Piguet brand ambassador for years, Serena Williams has won more than 20 Grand Slam singles titles during her career. She has been seen wearing a few different Audemars Piguet watches, such as the 18-karat rose gold Royal Oak Offshore with diamonds, and one or two of its unique high-jewelry watches on special occasions. I had the great opportunity to interview Williams a few years ago and she was sporting the Royal Oak Offshore in gold with a white rubber strap. It was definitely chic.
Tommy Paul and De Bethune
De Bethune proudly supports Tommy Paul, an up-and-coming American tennis player, as he takes the court at Wimbledon 2023. This partnership exemplifies the shared values of excellence, determination, and passion that both De Bethune and Tommy Paul embrace.
Tommy Paul, at the age of 26, has already made a significant impact in the world of tennis. Ranked 17th in the world, he is known for his powerful serve and adaptability on various surfaces. As Tommy Paul competes in Wimbledon, he will wear the DB28 LTC, a remarkable timepiece designed with tennis-themed elements. The watch features a purple titanium hours ring with miniature tennis courts between each hour, while a gold-toned titanium 3D tennis ball adds a playful touch at 12 o’clock on a vibrant green dial.
Beyond the partnership and the stylish timepiece, the collaboration between De Bethune and Tommy Paul signifies the brand’s commitment to advancing precision in timekeeping. Through Tommy Paul’s wrist movements, De Bethune aims to enhance its timepieces’ accuracy through the “Sensorial Chronometry Project.”
Novak Djokovic and Seiko
Novak Djokovic watch is actually the Seiko Astron Executive Sport Novak Djokovic GPS S (solar-powered) watch. He has been a brand ambassador for Seiko for years, and the collaboration naturally extended to a watch that bears his name. The limited-edition world timer features the signature of this multi-time Grand Slam winner on the back. The UTC codes for the world timer feature four cities that host Grand Slam tournaments that Novak has won.
ZENITH and Francisco Cerúndolo
ZENITH, the Swiss watch manufacturer, has proudly welcomed rising tennis sensation Francisco Cerúndolo into its esteemed group of “Friends of the Brand.” The young Argentine player has quickly made a name for himself as a top-tier contender in the sport, known for his composed and courteous demeanor, even under intense pressure. As a ZENITH ambassador, Cerúndolo represents the brand’s growing presence in Latin America, resonating with a new generation of watch enthusiasts who share his passion and aspirations. His dedication, talent, and commitment to excellence align perfectly with ZENITH’s philosophy of reaching for the stars.
Hailing from Buenos Aires, Francisco Cerúndolo discovered his love for tennis at a young age and has since risen through the ranks with relentless determination. Winning his first ATP Tour title in 2022, he has continued to impress, capturing his second title on grass and making a notable mark at the Wimbledon Championships. Renowned for his powerful playing style and adaptability, Cerúndolo embodies the true spirit of a fierce yet respectful competitor. As a ZENITH “Friend of the Brand,” he joins a select group of exceptional individuals who embody innovation and a drive for excellence, reflecting the essence of ZENITH’s philosophy — Time to Reach Your Star.
Simona Halep and Hublot
Another female tennis player, Simona Halep, who hails from Romania, is a friend of the Hublot brand. After winning her second Grand Slam title, she was seen wearing a Big Bang One Click Italian Independent Dark Blue Velvet Hublot watch, but she has also been seen wearing the highly distinctive Hublot Big Bang Sang Bleu Titanium watch.
While not as big a player in tennis as Rolex, Hublot has a little skin in the game, too. On its roster, or as friends of the brand, in addition to Halep, the brand works closely with Borna Coric (Croatian player who wears a Big Bang Unico King Gold watch with flyback chronograph), Elina Svitolina and Karolina Pliskova.
Petra Kvitová’ and TAG Heuer
Czech professional tennis player Petra Kvitová is a 27-time singles winner in tennis since going professional 14 years ago in 2006. Among her victories are two Grand Slam Titles, winning Wimbledon twice. She is a brand ambassador for TAG Heuer and has been seen wearing a TAG Heuer stainless steel Carrera watch with bold blue dial.
TAG Heuer also has a few other tennis friends of the brand, including Denis Shapovalov, and several up and comers such as Felix Auger Aliassime, Alex de Minaur, Frances Tiafoe.
Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf and Longines
In contrast to the younger players, there are living legends of tennis that continue to do great things in the world. One of the greatest tennis stars of all time is Andre Agassi, who, along with his wife Stefanie Graf, are both are now Ambassadors of Elegance for Longines. He has been seen wearing the Longines Conquest V.H.P. stainless steel bracelet watch, while Graf has been seen wearing a blue-dial Conquest V.H.P.
Agassi, who won four Grand Slam titles, and a host of approximately 60 other victories (including an Olympic Gold medal), lives in Las Vegas with Steffi Graf and their children and has created the Andre Agassi Foundation to assist the youth with educational opportunities. He has opened a public school for at-risk children and Longines supports his efforts. Graf also established a charitable organization called “Children of Tomorrow,” which Longines also supports. I have been fortunate enough to visit Vegas and Agassi’s foundation and to meet with him. It is enlightening to see how two of the greatest tennis stars of all time have dedicated their lives to one another and to helping others.
Rado and Cameron Norrie
Cameron Norrie has captivated tennis enthusiasts in the UK and globally with his dynamic and assertive approach to the game, along with his unwavering resilience, drive, and confidence. Despite becoming a member of the Rado YoungStars team in 2021, he rapidly outshone that distinction by reaching the top ten in the ATP rankings in 2022. He consistently ranks among the top 15 players worldwide. In July 2023, Rado unveiled the Captain Cook x Cameron Norrie Limited Edition watch, a collaborative timepiece created in partnership with the tennis star.
The Captain Cook x Cameron Norrie Limited Edition watch features a 42mm polished stainless steel case and a green ceramic bezel. The dial has a green-to-white gradient, and the hands are coated with Super-LumiNova® for visibility. It comes with a stainless steel bracelet or strap options, and the case back bears Norrie’s signature. Powered by an automatic movement, it has an 80-hour power reserve and is water resistant up to 300 meters. The watch is accompanied by a green leather pouch and a Limited Edition Certificate.
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