For decades, timepieces and tennis have shared a fascinating connection. Some of the best tennis players, known for their precision and style, have become natural ambassadors for the most iconic watch brands.
Let’s look at some of the most remarkable partnerships between tennis legends and luxury watchmakers.
Tennis Player Watch Deals: Roger Federer, Andy Murray and More
The tennis player watch deals we will highlight here will feature some of the most prestigious watchmakers and the top tennis stars in the world. From Andy Murray and his association with globally renowned Swiss watch brand Rado, through to Maria Sharapova and TAG Heuer, there’s plenty to unpack here.
Rafael Nadal and Richard Mille
Rafael Nadal inked a big money endorsement deal with Richard Mille in 2010 and he continues to be a face of the brand to this day. That’s why we often see the Spaniard wearing the very light and sporty Richard Mille watches on court and in public appearances.
In 2020, Richard Mille launched the limited edition RM 27-04 to commemorate its 10-year partnership with Nadal. Only 50 pieces were made, each priced at over $1 million. Like other Nadal watches, the RM 27-04 is specifically designed for the tennis champion.
Thanks to Richard Mille’s engineering excellence, the watch can withstand forces exceeding 12,000 Gs. This remarkable feat is achieved through the use of a tourbillon, which neutralizes the effects of gravity on the movement, and a steel wire mesh that forms the dial.
The 30 gram weight doesn’t make the watch look sturdy, but it is resilient enough to survive a 15-meter fall onto hard surfaces, thanks to its robust construction and protected movement. Nadal was seen wearing one of these at the 2020 French Open.
Andy Murray and Rado
Andy Murray penned a Rado contract in 2012 and he has been the face of the brand’s advertising campaigns since.
The two-time Wimbledon champion is reportedly paid £1 million ($1.27 million) annually to sport Rado watches. He’s usually got a good eye for watches, always rocking their Hyper Chrome on the court.
But after his last win at Wimbledon, things got a bit awkward during his celebration.
Murray strapped on the watch right after his win. Little did he know, this fancy timepiece was self-winding and needed some time to get adjusted to his arm swings.
The result? A good five hours off the actual time when the cameras flashed for his victory pose.
Novak Djokovic and Hublot
Novak Djokovic was the most eligible free agent in the world of tennis player watch deals from 2019 to 2021.
The Serbian superstar represented Audemars Piguet and Seiko earlier in his career. Even after his deal ran out with the Japanese brand, Djokovic did not try to hide his fascination for Seiko watches.
But, Seiko chose not to renew its deal with the only triple Career Grand Slam winner in history.
After much speculation, it was revealed that Hublot has managed to reach an agreement with Djokovic in 2021. Hublot added Djokovic to its impressive roster of endorsements, which already included luminaries such as Kylian Mbappe and Usain Bolt. The financial details, however, were kept under wraps.
Djokovic chose a statement piece as his debut Hublot wristwatch. He was seen rocking a Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 Blue Ceramic at the Rolex Paris Masters 2021, which currently has a $25,000+ price tag.
The 37-year-old took his watch game to a whole new level earlier this year as he arrived at the 2024 Laureus Awards.
Djokovic wore an absolute showstopper: the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang All Black Pavé. Beyond the dazzling diamonds, what truly sets this watch apart is the combination of a skeletonized dial and a sleek titanium case.
Serena Williams and Audemars Piguet
Very few athletes in the world can match the star power of Serena Williams, so it’s not hard to imagine how eager watch brands were to sign the American even after her retirement.
Audemars Piguet won the race for her signature, making Williams the centerpiece of its marketing campaigns in 2014.
The Royal Oak Offshore, a beauty worth around $50,000, has been her go-to watch during matches.
She’s also been seen wearing much fancier models. In the 2017 Met Gala, for example, Williams showed off an Audemars Piguet Diamond Outrage. You’d need to fork out a six-figure sum to get your hands on one of these watches!
Roger Federer and Rolex
Throughout his partnership with Rolex, Roger Federer has been photographed lifting trophies while wearing various high-end timepieces.
Unfortunately, lifting trophies is no longer a possibility anymore after the Swiss phenomenon chose to drop the curtain on his legendary career in September 2022. However, as the Rolex brand ambassador, Federer wore many iconic pieces during his conquests.
Arguably, the Datejust II he wore after breaking Pete Sampras’ Grand Slam record in 2009 stands out most. The Rolex GMT-Master II is another model frequently seen on Federer’s wrist.
The Federer-Rolex partnership is considered one of the most lucrative tennis player watch deals in history, possibly even the top earner. Reports suggest the Swiss maestro pulls in over $6 million annually to promote Rolex models.
Maria Sharapova and TAG Heuer
Maria Sharapova had an unceremonious end to her tennis career after dealing with a substance abuse ban in 2016. However, no conversation about tennis player watch deals can be complete without bringing up the partnership between the controversial Russian ace and TAG Heuer.
Negotiations for a renewed sponsorship deal between TAG Heuer and Maria Sharapova in 2016 were abruptly halted once the latter was banned from the sport. This ended their long-standing commercial partnership, which began in 2004.
On court, Sharapova frequently went for the Aquaracer model, priced at around $1500. Off court, her watch of choice was the pricier Formula 1 Lady, valued at almost $2.5 million.
Now retired from professional tennis, the former world No 1 may no longer grace the grass courts, but Sharapova’s stylish taste remains a fixture off the court. She’s still regularly spotted sporting luxury timepieces.
