5 tennis legends and their timepieces

We look at some of the sport's most loved stars and their watches

Arthur Ashe and the Rolex Day Date

In the 1970s, Arthur Ashe was the tennis pro to know. His effortless style turned heads both on and off the court, where he paired his signature Afro with chic tank tops and top-of-the-line watches. Ashe allegedly swore he'd only ever wear Rolex watches, and spent most of his career appearing publicly in some form of gold Day-Date. It was a fitting choice: the Presidential model has long been associated with leaders and influential thinkers, mirroring Ashe’s own legacy as a pioneer for equality and social justice. He himself became president of the ATP just two years after its founding, fighting for improved wages for players in the process.

Boris Becker and the Ebel Sport Classic

Though less familiar to today’s casual collectors, Ebel was a major name in the ’70s and ’80s. While many Swiss brands struggled or collapsed after the quartz crisis, Ebel thrived by producing its own quartz movements and launching the Sport Classic in 1977. The sleek, accessible timepiece quickly became a hit and was one of the first watches to find its way into public prominence on the the wrists of F1 drivers, golfers and elite tennis players like German Boris Becker. His love for the watch was one of the catalysts that kicked off the phenomenon of brands racing to get their watches worn by sports pros altogether.

Rafael Nadal and the Richard Mille RM 027

The so-called “King of Clay,” Rafael Nadal was once adamant about never wearing a watch – especially not on the tennis court. That changed when he met Richard Mille, with whom he quickly formed a close friendship. Together, they created the groundbreaking Richard Mille RM 027: the world’s lightest tourbillon watch at the time of its release. Nadal has since described his Richard Mille watches as a “second skin”, saying he can no longer imagine playing without one. Over the course of his long-standing partnership with the brand, he has worn all manner of custom Richard Milles, each engineered for the extreme demands of professional tennis.

Novak Djokovic and the Hublot Big Bang Meca-10

It's crazy to think that Novak Djokovic – arguably the greatest male tennis player of all time –was once without a watch sponsor for nearly two years. Previously signed with Audemars Piguet and Seiko, the Serb signed with Hublot in 2021 and celebrated his seventh Wimbledon title by wearing the Big Bang Meca-10 during the trophy presentation. The watch is a fitting piece for a champion: a 45mm case and bezel in microblasted and polished blue ceramic – a notoriously difficult material to color, executed perfectly thanks to Hublot’s patented process. It features a matte blue skeletonised dial that displays the movement, a seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock and a cog-style power reserve indicator at 6. The package is completed with a structured blue-and-black rubber strap and a ceramic-and-titanium clasp.

Serena Williams and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

Men aren’t the only tennis players making statements with their watches. The women’s game is equally adorned with standout wristwear, and leading the charge is tennis icon Serena Williams, who has become almost as synonymous with the watches of Audemars Piguet. For most of her time with the brand, Williams has worn a variety of Royal Oak Offshores. Most recently at Wimbledon, she wore a newly released Royal Oak Offshore featuring a 37 mm titanium case, a soft pink tapisserie dial and a sparkling bezel set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds. Inside beats AP’s latest self-winding chronograph movement, offering a 55-hour power reserve.

See also: A look back at the history of the tennis bracelet