What Is The Connection Between Rolex and Tennis? A Closer Look at The Watches of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

One of the more interesting things about Rolex, as a company, is the fact that they seem to subtly express their worldview by quietly supporting things that they strongly believe in. Their style of sponsorship is never gaudy, but it often plays an important part, especially from a financial standpoint, in the success of the events which they choose to support. As a leading manufacturer of high-quality custom rubber watch straps, Rubber B appreciates Rolex’s constant and unwavering commitment to not only its products but to making the world a better place as well.

Many people are unaware of this, but Rolex is very active in the world of tennis sponsorship, and they have been for the last several decades. As a result of this, several prominent tennis players have either had sponsorship deals with Rolex or chosen to wear Rolex watches of their own accord.

For the purposes of this article, we are going to look more closely at the watch collections of two of the greatest players to ever play the game of tennis: Roger Federer and Rafael Nada. The two are known for their fierce rivalry on the court, genuine friendship off of the court, and their impeccable sense of style when it comes to watches.

Who is Roger Federer?

Currently ranked as the number five tennis player in the world, the shadow of Roger Federer’s game has long loomed over the world of tennis in a way that ensures he will be mentioned among the game’s greats for years to come. He has won 20 men’s Grand Slam titles, a record that he shares with fellow competitor (and compatriot) Rafael Nadal.

He is known for his philanthropic efforts around the world and was essential in the formation of the Match For Africa series of exhibition matches, which are organized through his Roger Federer Foundation. Conversely, he is also known for being an astute collector of Rolex watches as well, several of which he has worn on the court over the years. He has been a Rolex ambassador for over a decade, and having been born in Switzerland, Rubber B imagines that this must be a great source of pride for him.

What Kind of Rolex Watches Does Roger Federer Wear?

Arguably, the most famous timepiece in Roger Federer’s collection of Rolex watches is his Rolex Datejust II. He has spoken about the personal importance of the watch to him many times, as he was wearing it in 2009 when he defeated Andy Roddick at Wimbledon. This would allow him to break Pete Sampras’ Grand Slam record and cement himself as one of tennis’s all-time great players.

In more recent years, he has also been spotted wearing the Rolex Daytona on the tennis court as well. When he does wear the Daytona, it is the 116520 model, which has become a more difficult piece to obtain in recent years.  He is also fond of wearing the Rolex Milgauss timepiece as well.

Who is Rafael Nadal?

Rafael Nadal is currently the number two ranked tennis player in the world and has been successfully playing tennis since his days as a teenage prodigy in Spain. When not on the court, he operates a tennis academy in his hometown of Mallorca, Spain, and like his friend Roger Federer, he is also known for his philanthropic efforts as well.

What Kind of Watches Does Rafael Nadal Wear?

Rafael Nadal is not an ambassador for Rolex, but he does have a long-standing relationship with another well-known Swiss watchmaker – Richard Mille. In fact, he was once spotted wearing a RM27-02 timepiece, which currently retails at $775,000. His relationship with the watchmaker goes back several years, and in 2017, they released the RM27-03, which was made especially for him to wear while he played at Roland Garros. In 2020, they would release the RM27-04 – it is important to note that both of these watches are very difficult to find, as only a few of them have been made.

When all is said and done, the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will certainly be remembered as one of the most significant in all of sports history, and rightfully so. More importantly, though, these men will be remembered for their philanthropic efforts and personal elegance for years to come.

Looking For Custom Rubber Watch Straps For Your Rolex? Visit Rubber B Today

If you are looking for custom rubber watch straps for your Rolex timepiece, the team at Rubber B is always here and happy to assist you. We have a wide variety of rubber watch bands available for several of Rolex’s most popular timepieces, and you can see our complete collection of straps here at our website. We update our inventory frequently, so be sure to visit us often to stay up to date with the latest trends in custom rubber watch bands.    

Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal – If you want to learn more about Rolex and Tennis you can go here