The start of summer means one thing for tennis fanatics: the chance to watch the sport’s greats compete in one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world — Wimbledon. This world-class British sporting event is renowned for not just tennis, but the traditions surrounding it, from Pimms to strawberries and cream. Another thing Wimbledon is known for, beyond the court, is being the place to spot some of the most stylish and exclusive watches.
Many tennis fans know that Wimbledon has a strong affinity with Rolex, which has been the tournament’s official timekeeper for almost 50 years. But which watchmakers are the most beloved by the tennis greats themselves? In this blog, we’ll look at notable timepieces worn by four of the sport’s most iconic players.
Rose gold Rolex Day-Date - Roger Federer 2012
Former world number one Roger Federer is known for his appreciation of quality timepieces, particularly Rolex watches. This is no surprise considering he has been an official ambassador of the brand since 2001! He has been spotted wearing a number of different models across his playing career and beyond, from a striking orange Daytona to the official Wimbledon Datejust.
But one of his most memorable Wimbledon watches is one he wore during the 2012 final, where he defeated Andy Murray to secure the title for the seventh (and penultimate) time. The watch is beautiful and unique, in a rose gold hue — or as Rolex label it, Everose. It is complemented by a distinctive chocolate-brown dial and ten baguette-cut diamonds, which form the hour markers.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore - Serena Williams 2016
Considered the second most successful female tennis player of all time with 23 Grand Slam titles (just behind Margaret Court with 24), Serena Williams is celebrated for her amazing achievements both on and off the court. One thing she is known for off-court is her sense of style, and in 2023, she was even named a fashion icon by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, becoming the first athlete to receive the award (BBC News).
Williams’ fashion-forward thinking came long before she retired from tennis. She studied at fashion school between her Grand Slam titles and often used the court to create new and distinctive tennis looks. One of the ways she expressed her style is in the form of accessories, namely watches. She has been a brand ambassador for Audemars Piguet since 2014 and has sported many models over the years. At Wimbledon, she famously sported an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak during her grand final win in 2016. Like Federer’s famous Wimbledon watch, it comes in a rose gold case and also has a diamond-set bezel to make for a sparkling win.
Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 - Novak Djokovic 2022
With a record-breaking 24 Grand Slam titles and 428 weeks at the top of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings, Novak Djokovic is widely regarded as the most successful tennis player of all time. And like other iconic tennis players, he is also known for sporting a fantastic selection of watches.
He has worn many iconic timepieces over the years, including the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak — a favourite also worn by Serena Williams. However, in more recent years, he has worn several Hublot timepieces since becoming an ambassador in 2021. He has worn a number of different models, but perhaps the most famous one in his collection is the Big Bang Meca-10. This is the watch he wore in the 2022 Wimbledon final, which is his most recent Wimbledon win to date. The striking ceramic blue watch comes with a durable anti-reflective sapphire crystal face and has a lined rubber strap, the ideal choice for keeping comfortable in the heat of a match.
Rolex Lady Datejust - Iga Świątek 2023
Iga Świątek has cemented herself as one of tennis’s modern greats, consistently staying in the top 10 of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. While she is known for dominating clay courts, with four French Open titles, she is still a force to be reckoned with on grass, reaching the quarter finals of Wimbledon in 2023.
Like Roger Federer, Świątek is another tennis-playing Rolex ambassador and has been partnered with the brand since 2021. She has worn many of the brand’s iconic models throughout her career, one of the most famous being the Rolex 1908, which she wore during her 2024 Indian Wells victory photo shoot. At Wimbledon, she sported the chic Rolex Lady-Datejust during press events in 2023. The small and sleek piece comes with a matching rose-gold case and dial with a fluted bezel, perfect for both on- and off-court wear.
Whether you’re a tennis fanatic, a watch enthusiast, or both, it’s clear that the worlds of sport and timepieces often go hand in hand. From Federer’s iconic Everose Rolex to Serena’s stylish Audemars Piguet, tennis players’ watches are as much a statement off the court as their performances are on it.
Feeling inspired to add to your watch collection? At H&T, we stock a wide selection of pre-owned watches for men and women from leading brands like the tennis stars’ favourite Rolex, as well as TAG Heuer, Omega, and Breitling, to name just a few.
Want more timepiece insight? Explore the rest of our blog for more informative reads, including our blog on Omega at the Olympics.
