The Luxury Accessories Tennis Pros Wear, From Alex Eala and Rafael Nadal to Roger Federer
When Alex Eala walked onto Center Court for her third-round match against Iga Świątek at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, millions of tennis fans were watching history unfold. Her stunning straight-sets victory over the defending champion made her the first Filipino to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam.
Beyond her fearless groundstrokes, another detail caught the attention of viewers and fans around the globe. Framing her white Wimbledon kit were dangling diamond earrings and delicate layered necklaces.
Eala joins a list of professionals who show that jewelry has a place on the court. From Rafael Nadal’s featherweight Richard Mille tourbillons to Roger Federer’s carefully timed Rolex appearances and the jewelry worn by many of today’s leading tennis players, the game’s finest accessories are designed to disappear the moment play begins.
The Watch That Changed Everything
The idea of wearing a mechanical watch during a professional tennis match would have seemed absurd in the past, but Rafael Nadal transformed the relationship between haute horlogerie and professional sport through his long-running partnership with Richard Mille. Since 2010, rather than simply lending his name to advertisements, Nadal insisted on competing while wearing his watches, forcing the manufacture to rethink how a luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary timepiece should be built.
The result has been an series of increasingly sophisticated creations, from the original RM 027 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal to the RM 27-04, and most recently the RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal. The latest weighs just 11.5 grams without its strap while withstanding shocks of up to 14,000 g–a feat, considering the power generated by a professional forehand.
Federer Waits
Roger Federer has long been synonymous with Rolex, yet tennis fans rarely saw one on his wrist during competition. Federer almost never competed wearing a watch, instead putting on a Rolex before trophy ceremonies, media appearances, and post-match presentations. The ritual became part of Federer’s image, whether he was wearing a Sky-Dweller, GMT-Master II, Datejust or other model.
The New Generation Continues the Tradition
Carlos Alcaraz, another Rolex ambassador, has frequently been photographed wearing various Rolex Cosmograph Daytona references during trophy ceremonies and official appearances, while Jannik Sinner has been seen wearing a Rolex Daytona during post-match celebrations.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has collaborated with Hublot on the Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic, an ultra-light watch. Like Nadal’s Richard Mille, it reflects the growing emphasis on weight reduction and technical innovation.
The Rise of Fine Jewelry
While watches tend to dominate conversations, women’s tennis has quietly demonstrated that fine jewelry can be equally compatible with elite competition.
One of the most compelling examples is Alex Eala. During her landmark Wimbledon victory over Iga Świątek, the young Filipina paired her match outfit with tiny diamond hoop earrings and delicate layered necklaces. These subtle touches that reflected her personal style. The pieces also illustrated an important principle shared by today’s leading players: the best on-court jewelry is practically invisible.
Eala’s look equally captures a broader shift in jewelry. Oversized earrings, chunky bracelets, and dramatic necklaces have given way to delicate hoops, fine chains, and understated diamonds that remain secure, giving the impression of effortlessness.
Eala is not alone, as Emma Raducanu has brought Tiffany & Co. fine jewelry into the spotlight through her ambassadorship. Aryna Sabalenka has shown that expressive jewelry can succeed when thoughtfully designed; at the current Wimbledon championships, Sabalenka competed wearing a custom suite of emeralds and diamonds by Material Good.
The Bracelet That Gave Tennis Its Signature Jewel
Tennis’ most famous piece of jewelry owes its name to an accident.
During a US Open match, Chris Evert famously stopped play after her diamond bracelet came undone. Officials paused the match until it was found. The incident became one of sport’s most memorable fashion moments, and the bracelet soon became universally known as the “tennis bracelet.”
It remains one of fine jewelry’s most enduring designs. Flexible and comfortable, it embodies qualities demanded of a successful on-court accessory.
Lessons From the Legends
While Pete Sampras was minimalist, Andre Agassi helped redefine tennis style in the late 1980s and early 1990s through earrings, bracelets, bold apparel, and an unmistakable sense of individuality.
Their contrasting approaches demonstrated that there is no single formula for looking the part.
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While Nadal’s Richard Mille represents the pinnacle of technical watchmaking, few players actually need an ultra-light tourbillon for a match. Sports watches crafted from titanium or ceramic by Rolex, Hublot, Omega, or IWC Schaffhausen prioritize durability and comfort without sacrificing mechanical excellence.
For jewelry, Alex Eala’s understated approach are versatile enough to move seamlessly from the tennis court to lunch or an evening out. Cartier’s Love and Juste un Clou hoop earrings embody that same philosophy, while Tiffany & Co. offers refined diamond studs, elegant chain necklaces, and the iconic tennis bracelet.