Tennis and Timekeeping: The Most Memorable Watches Worn by Tennis Icons

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The recently concluded French Open proved that tennis stars are still bringing the heat on the court, but it’s more than just a lethal backhand that draws a global audience to the sport. Tennis and horology have had an undeniable connection for decades, and fans of the game are just as intrigued to see the gleaming timepieces on the world’s most famous wrists as they are to see their favourites triumph on the grass (or clay). Timekeeping is essential in sports, and watchmakers have overcome myriad challenges of weight, accuracy, and impact resistance to create wristwatches that match the lifestyles of tennis stars.

With watch sponsorships being a fortunate b yproduct of being a tennis champion, players are often sporting coveted wristwatches on and off the court, including flagship or unreleased models that watch fanatics can then pore over. Be it tennis stars running to their bags to slip on the latest wrist candy post-match, or wearing some super lightweight horological marvels during the game itself – stars from Rafael Nadal to Naomi Osaka have pulled off some of the most enviable watch models that have made history, along with their championship wins.

Rafael Nadal and the Richard Mille RM 027-04

Known for being tech-forward, Richard Mille is a watch brand that has a longstanding association with the 14-time Roland Garros winner. While Nadal has sported a number of bespoke Richard Mille pieces over the years, the latest rendition of the RM-027 that marked the 10th anniversary of their relationship turned heads with its unique features. Slimmer on the wrist, this tourbillon weighs less than 30 grams, with a case fashioned from lightweight titanium. The open dial features a steel mesh, not too different from that on a racquet, on which the hands and calibre rest. With the ability to withstand an impact of 12,000 Gs, this watch is the perfect on-court companion to the King of Clay.

Serena Williams and the Audemars Piguet Millenary

The greatest female tennis player on the planet has been seen sporting several enviable Audemars Piguet watches over the years, with the Royal Oak Offshore in different settings being her go-to. However, the most stunning piece she has worn so far is the rose gold Audemars Piguet Millenary at the 2017 Australian Open, which blends high jewellery with fine chronometry. With a diamond-encrusted bezel and a mother-of-pearl dial that features a back-to-front escapement, this model was an unusual choice because of its weight, but Williams

Novak Djokovic and the Hublot Big Bang Unico

After partnerships with Audemars Piguet and Seiko, Novak Djokovic signed up with Hublot in August 2021, sporting the luxury watch house’s signature Big Bang Unico watches. In 2024, the two partnered to create the Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic, a sublime blue timepiece that is made out of Djokovic’s HEAD racquets and Lacoste polo t-shirts. Performance-oriented like the 24-time Grand Slams singles winner, the Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic, substituted key materials like brass for aluminum for the Unico chronograph movement, and sapphire glass for tempered gorilla glass for a lighter watch. With four changeable straps, this collectible is one that imbibes the Djokovic ethic at an elemental level.

Andre Agassi and the Longines Conquest VHP

Tennis great Andre Agassi veered far from flashier models, instead opting to wear the Longines Conquest VHP. on and off the court. The stainless-steel piece is known for its high calibre, hence the acronym VHP. which stands for Very High Precision. Exceptional battery life, durability, and accuracy (with a rating of +/- 5 seconds per year), the Longines Conquest VHP may not be the most eye-catching, but it is a dependable timepiece with longevity, like its wearer.

Boris Becker and the IWC 5002 Big Pilot

A Wimbledon champion in 1985, 1986 and 1989, Boris Becker remains the youngest player to have ever won the title, at the tender age of 17. Becker developed his watch collection early, and became an IWC Schaffhausen ambassador in 2004. One of his most memorable timepieces was the original IWC 5002 Big Pilot, which was the first Big Pilot model that established the watch as the foremost pilot’s watch. At a massive 46mm, the dial has an almost military look, but is a modern classic that is still considered a must by collectors worldwide. Its massive crown is a defining feature.

Naomi Osaka and the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300 Professional

Naomi Osaka signed a sponsorship deal with TAG Heuer in 2021, eventually designing her own unique take on the Aquaracer in 2022. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300 Professional Naomi Osaka pays homage to the sport with various shades of green in the dial and the strap, which is made from recycled fish nets. The waves on the dial offer unexpected texture to the old-school sports watch, and diamond markers add a feminine sparkle to the 36mm dial. The watch comes with two straps, and has a super-luminova seconds hand that glows in the dark. The back is etched with Osaka’s signature logo—a bear holding a flower.

Andy Murray and the Rado HyperChrome Automatic Chronograph

Andy Murray became the first British player to win Wimbledon after a 77-year hiatus, in a sporty black Rado HyperChrome, accented with tennis-appropriate neon details. The automatic mechanical watch is made from Rado’s signature high-tech ceramic, making it lightweight and functional—perfect for a tennis champion’s wrist. The 45mm dial has glow-in-the-dark Super-LumiNova dial details, which also extend to the strap. Murray has been seen wearing the silver variant of the Rado HyperChrome Automatic Chronograph, but this one marked a truly special win for the British tennis star.