The relationship between tennis and watches is twofold. In this article, explore how they both align.
It’s no wonder that so many luxury watch brands want to support tennis. This globally loved sport is all about mental toughness, high pressure, and sportsmanship.
But it’s also about precision timing, endurance, and performance — values that both tennis players and watchmakers share.
From the lush green courts of Wimbledon to the red clay courts of Roland Garros. We’re going to explore the relationship between tennis and watches.
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Exploring the Relationship Between Tennis and Watches
We witness something majestic when the ball hits the racket held in the hand of one of the world’s best. Tennis and rhythm are a unique alchemy of athleticism and artistry.
Every millisecond matters in receiving and returning the ball across the net. Every second matters in watchmaking, too. The small details and components are fine-tuned to perfection, like every learned technique on the court.
The relationship between tennis and watchmaking tells a unique story — one of sheer dedication, passion, and skill. Not only does timekeeping play an integral role in a match, but horology extends far beyond the court itself.
So many professional tennis players share a love for premium watch designs. Whether it be brands like Rolex, Rado, or Richard Mille, all these brands devote their expertise to the sport.
Special Edition odes to tennis are particularly popular. There is also an abundance of suitable watches for tennis on the market.
When the practical features and style of a sports watch align, it provides everything a tennis player could need in a timepiece.
This connection with a watch often forges a long-lasting relationship between the player and the watchmaker. This love affair between accuracy and stamina plays out on the court and on our TV screens.
We can instantly recall some of the unique partnerships.
You only need to remember Roger Federer’s many Grand Slam wins to recall his cherished collectibles. The retired tennis player owns an impressive Rolex watch collection with designs that illustrate his 20+ year ambassadorship for the brand.
From the outside, it’s clear that tennis and watchmaking share many important values. They naturally fit into one another, like a racket in a hand.
To explore the relationship between the two, we must delve deeper into history.
The History of Watches and Tennis
Professional tennis players have been wearing luxury watches for many years. However, 1978 marks an important date in Rolex’s history. It’s when the brand became the Official Timekeeper for Wimbledon.
The company’s deep-rooted connection with tennis brought it closer to one of the world’s greatest tennis champions. Its flourishing relationship with Roger Federer now spans four decades (and counting). They are both industry bests in their respective fields.
In addition to having Swiss player Roger Federer by its side, Rolex continued to focus its efforts on precision watchmaking. As its watches became more accurate, the brand’s partnership with tennis grew.
Rolex now keeps time for all four major Grand Slam tennis tournaments in the world. As such, the brand chooses specific models to represent the different events it supports.
The Oyster Perpetual 41, for example, represents the Australian Open, and the GMT-Master II represents Roland Garros.
Other watchmaking partnerships with tennis professionals prove just as lucrative. Richard Mille, a watchmaker specializing in creating timepieces for athletes, released the RM 027 in 2010. The watch was specially designed for Spanish professional tennis player Rafael Nadal.
Read on to get a clearer view of the watches that professional tennis players like to wear.
Tennis Players and Watches
We talk about tennis, sharing a deep connection with watchmaking. But who are the sportsmen wearing these watches in their everyday lives?
Let’s unpack these important watch sponsorships to see who’s wearing what.
Rafael Nadal and Richard Mille
Richard Mille and Rafael Nadal have been working together for over ten years. To celebrate this milestone, RM released the RM 027 watch. There couldn’t be a better watch to perpetuate Nadal’s unorthodox playing style.
The “King of Clay” won three major Grand Slam tournaments in 2010. In 2017, he ranked first in the ATP world rankings.
When he and Richard Mille met in 2008, Nadal was reluctant to wear a watch, especially for training. The company designed the lightweight RM 027 for him. Featuring a Carbon TPT composite case, the watch weighs just 11.5g without the strap.
The Flying Tourbillon watch can also withstand a g-force of 14,000 and features a titanium baseplate and bridges.
Rolex and Roger Federer
Rolex and Roger Federer date back to 2006. His collection includes many investment-worthy collectibles, such as the Day-Date, the Daytona, and the Sky-Dweller.
Above all, however, Federer likes to practice in the Datejust. The brand released a Wimbledon-inspired model, which Roger enjoyed on his 2017 Wimbledon win.
That was a two-tone yellow gold and steel model with an anthracite dial and green accents. The modern version is the ref 126331 with an Oystersteel and Everose gold case.
The vivid green Roman numeral hour markers echo the green grass courts of Wimbledon. This is my ultimate favorite design of all the tennis watches I know of.
Novak Djokovic and Hublot
Hublot and Djokovic are synonymous. They have a symbiotic relationship between accuracy and performance. Hublot is famous for creating bold, daring, avant-garde designs, which Djokovic rocks effortlessly.
Whether practicing on the court with a Hublot or wearing it for a social event, it’s always his number one choice.
The player is still at the top of his game, and so is the watchmaker. His latest favorite is the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang All Black Pavé.
The watch is a 42mm micro-blasted ceramic case, pave set with 330 diamonds on the bezel. The black rubber strap keeps the watch looking sporty enough for all his conferences and evening events.
Djokovic recently combined the watch with a classic tux. Looking dapper, he collected his Laureas World Sportsman of the Year award at the glamorous Madrid event wearing it.
Andy Murray and Rado
When Andy Murray became the first British player to win Wimbledon in 77 years, he marked the memorable moment with a Rado Hyperchrome XXL.
The relationship between the player and the brand has been thriving for years. Murray chooses designs like the D-Star (for the US Open) and often wears Rado watches during his interviews.
The Hyperchrome XXL is a lightweight, black, scratch-resistant, high-tech ceramic model. Its sleek black profile benefits from Super-LumiNova details and a rubber strap that is supple and comfortable for hours of wear.
Bjorn Borg and Cartier
Although not a partnership, Bjorn Borg was certainly partial to an elegant Cartier watch. Sporting the Cartier Tank on his wrist, he became the epitome of style during his heyday on the court.
The Cartier Tank is a classic collectible that is still hugely sought-after among connoisseurs.
Its distinctive rectangular case is the perfect complement to elegant formal attire. The dial of the Tank also has a set of recognizable features.
It features the signature “brancards” (the straight rectangular sides of the case), taking inspiration from World War I Renault tanks.
The dial is equally as distinctive. It features classic Roman numerals hour makers, blue sword-shaped hands, and a blue cabochon sapphire crown tip.
Here’s a modern example, fitted on a beautiful brown leather strap to retain a traditional, modest look on the wrist.
John McEnroe and Casio
“You cannot be serious?!”. John McEnroe wore one of the most accessible watches during his career, true story!
Again, it wasn’t a partnership, but he liked rocking the affordable Casio. While his digital watches were undoubtedly much more placid than his demeanor on the court, they conveyed technical sophistication during this era.
Perhaps the Casio showed John McEnroe’s down-to-earth side? These were very affordable options during the height of his career. This is especially true compared to the Nautilus and Royal Oak.
However, Casio watches were also the future, representing the power of the quartz movement during the 1970s.
Today, you will see a personalized “lefty” Rolex on his wrist. He took his Rolex Sub to Artisans De Genève to have it personalized. It now features a skeleton dial and a repositioned crown on the left side of the case.
Timekeeping and Tennis
The digital screens and large analog clocks seen in tennis matches are mainly for marketing purposes. Companies like Longines, Citizen, and, of course, Rolex keep accurate time but serve as sponsorship adverts on the court.
In reality, measuring time during a match happens on a much more controlled level. A player may not need to wear a watch for timekeeping purposes in a game. Still, time does serve a purpose in tennis, especially for the umpire.
Following rules, like serving 20 seconds after the last point, is essential. Rules like the 90 seconds given between side changes and the two-minute interval between sets.
You may notice the umpire cautioning Rafael Nadal, who is notorious for taking time between serves. Just like pre-serve routines vary among payers, so do the styles and functions of the watches they wear. Each one is unique yet just as crucial to the game.
Some research suggests that the tennis scoring system derives from the clock face itself. Since the point system in tennis goes up in 15 increments, so do the quarter sections of a clock face (well, apart from the 40 part!).
Did clocks serve as a straightforward scoring system for the sport many years ago? I’m not so sure. But I guess it’s possible that moving the hands on a clock face was a logical explanation. It could easily keep scores back when we had no sophisticated software to do the job for us.
The Takeaway
On the outside, a professional tennis player always dresses impeccably. He wears beautifully crafted timepieces on his wrist while maintaining a calm composure. On the inside, his body is tested to the limit and works like a carefully oiled machine.
The same goes for luxury timepieces. On the outside, a finely crafted watch looks flawless and stoic. On the inside, an intricate series of train gears, levers, and components work meticulously in rhythm with one another.
What is certain is that the relationship between tennis and watches is twofold. Tennis relies on timekeeping as an integral part of the sport. At the same time, manufacturers align themselves with the sport because of its prestige and popularity.
When we think back to some of the most memorable moments in tennis history, we think of Bjorn Borg.
We think of John McEnroe, Nadal, and Federer. These clashes between players tell the story of this legendary sport and the timekeeping instruments they wore.
What is your favorite tennis watch? Can you remember the moment it helped celebrate and who was wearing it? Leave your comments below.
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