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.
Grigor Dimitrov and Bianchet
Grigor Dimitrov, a former World No. 3, is as much a master of elegance as he is of tennis. Known for his fluid playing style and refined presence, Dimitrov has long been an icon of sophistication—on and off the court. His appreciation for fine craftsmanship extends beyond sport, making him the perfect ambassador and partner for Bianchet, a Swiss independent watch brand. His wristwear of choice? The Bianchet Tourbillon B1.618 Openwork in Titanium-Dust-Carbon is a timepiece that reflects his appreciation for artistry, precision, and timeless design.
More than a simple brand endorsement, Dimitrov’s partnership with Bianchet is built on shared values—beauty, innovation, and meticulous craftsmanship. A longtime watch enthusiast, he was drawn to Bianchet’s philosophy of blending high-tech materials with watchmaking excellence. The Tourbillon B1.618 Openwork is not only a design statement but also of performance, capable of withstanding the rigorous demands of professional tennis, including shocks up to 6000G. Just like Dimitrov’s game, his timepiece embodies a rare fusion of power and grace—a true reflection of his enduring legacy.
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 one of the world’s highest-paid athletes. 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.
The latest Richard Mille seen on Nadal’s wrist is the Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal, which pushes the boundaries of ultralight engineering, built for extreme performance on and off the court. Weighing a mere 11.5 grams (without the strap), this timepiece is made from high-tech TitaCarb®, a carbon-reinforced polyamide that delivers incredible strength while keeping weight to an absolute minimum. An innovative cable system suspends the skeletonized flying tourbillon movement, allowing it to withstand shocks up to 14,000 g’s—a new benchmark in watchmaking.
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 since 2001. 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 Jannik Sinner, Caroline Wozniacki (who has been seen wearing an 18-carat Everose gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller), Carlos Alcaraz, 22-year-old Ben Shelton, Coco Gauff, 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 took to the courts at Wimbledon 2023. This partnership exemplifies the shared values of excellence, determination, and passion that both De Bethune and Tommy Paul embrace.
At the age of 26, Tommy Paul 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 Hublot
Hublot, the Swiss luxury watch brand known for its bold designs and innovative materials, proudly counts tennis legend Novak Djokovic among its ambassadors. As a 24-time Grand Slam champion, Djokovic embodies precision, resilience, and excellence—values that align perfectly with Hublot’s philosophy. Since joining the brand in 2021, he has represented Hublot on and off the court, reinforcing its commitment to high-performance craftsmanship. Though he famously doesn’t wear a watch while playing, Djokovic’s partnership with Hublot highlights a shared pursuit of pushing boundaries, both in horology and in sport.
In celebration of their partnership, Hublot introduced the Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic, a striking limited edition of just 100 pieces. This timepiece is a true fusion of sport and horology, incorporating 25 HEAD rackets and fabric from 17 dark blue and 15 light blue Lacoste polo shirts worn by Djokovic during his 2023 season. These elements are ingeniously integrated into the case and strap, making each watch a tangible piece of tennis history. Powered by Hublot’s in-house Unico movement, this unique Big Bang model reflects Djokovic’s relentless pursuit of excellence, mirroring the precision and resilience he brings to the court.
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. In 2021, they announced Novak Djokovic as their new ambassador.
Petra Kvitová’ and TAG Heuer
Czech professional tennis player Petra Kvitová has won 28 career singles titles since going professional 19 years ago in 2006. Among her victories are two Grand Slam Titles and two Wimbledon wins. She is a brand ambassador for TAG Heuer and has been seen wearing a TAG Heuer stainless steel Carrera watch with a bold blue dial.
Since 2019, TAG Heuer has also proudly partnered with Felix Auger-Aliassime, a tennis sensation whose precision, speed, and determination perfectly embody the brand’s “Don’t Crack Under Pressure” philosophy. Rising through the ATP rankings with relentless ambition, Auger-Aliassime brings the same level of excellence to the court that TAG Heuer brings to watchmaking. His commitment to pushing limits and redefining success makes him an ideal ambassador, reflecting the spirit of innovation and performance that has defined TAG Heuer for over 160 years.
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.
