GMT-Master II or a Datejust… Roger Federer’s Rolex watches trace the defining moments of one of tennis’ greatest careers.
Twenty Grand Slam titles, Olympic medals and countless unforgettable moments on the tennis court… There is only one name that comes to mind: Roger Federer. Nearly four years after retiring from professional tennis, the Swiss icon remains one of the sport’s most enduring figures. Over a remarkable 24-year career, he amassed an extraordinary collection of trophies while leaving an indelible mark on the game through his effortless style and unmatched elegance. Federer became a legend not only because of the way he played, but also because of the grace with which he carried himself beyond the court. And, of course, because of the Rolex watches that accompanied him throughout his greatest triumphs.
Federer’s approach to wearing a watch was as distinctive as his tennis. He never competed with a watch on his wrist. Instead, once the final point had been played, he would retrieve a Rolex from his bag moments before stepping onto the podium to lift the trophy. Those iconic victory photographs have become inseparable from the watches he wore, different references over the years, yet always bearing the unmistakable Rolex crown. As one of Switzerland’s greatest sporting talents rose from the country’s clay courts to global stardom, another Swiss icon accompanied him every step of the way. The partnership began in 2001, shortly after Federer emerged as one of tennis’ brightest young stars in the late 1990s and became a Rolex Testimonee.
Federer’s calm demeanour under pressure, technical brilliance and timeless sense of elegance naturally reflected the values Rolex has long championed. Throughout a career that spanned nearly a quarter of a century, the Crown remained a constant companion as he collected title after title. Federer himself has often spoken of his admiration for the brand, describing Rolex as the ultimate reward for hard work, a watch that marks life’s greatest achievements.
Unforgettable Moments: Rolex on the Champion’s Wrist
One of the defining milestones of Federer’s career came in 2009. Defeating Robin Söderling in the Roland-Garros final, he claimed his first, and ultimately only, French Open title. The victory completed the career Grand Slam and brought his tally of major titles to fourteen. Less than a decade into his professional career, Federer had already secured his place among tennis’ immortals. As he lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires, a Rolex Yacht-Master II adorned his wrist.
Only a few weeks later came another historic chapter. Facing Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon final, Federer prevailed after a marathon contest that lasted 77 games, then the longest men’s singles Grand Slam final ever played. The victory earned him a record-breaking 15th Grand Slam title. This time, he celebrated wearing a silver-dial Rolex Datejust accented with green and purple details, a subtle tribute to Wimbledon’s unmistakable colours. More titles would follow in the years ahead, cementing his place as one of the greatest players the sport has ever known.
Another unforgettable image arrived in 2012, when Federer defeated Andy Murray to capture his seventh Wimbledon crown. On his wrist was an Everose gold Rolex Day-Date II, another watch forever linked to one of tennis’ defining moments. As Federer continued to build his legacy, Rolex remained by his side, marking each milestone with equal distinction.
At this point, it is worth fast-forwarding to 2024, when Federer returned to the spotlight in a very different setting. Receiving an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth College, he stood not in tennis whites but in academic robes to deliver one of the most memorable speeches of his post-playing career. Reflecting on the lessons tennis had taught him, Federer explained that one of life’s greatest challenges is learning to keep moving forward after defeat. When playing a point, he said, nothing else matters, it is the most important thing in the world.
That philosophy perfectly captured the story of his comeback at the 2017 Australian Open. Forced to miss the second half of the 2016 season because of a knee injury, Federer returned to Melbourne with expectations lower than at any point in his career. Yet in a dramatic five-set final against Rafael Nadal, he ended a five-year Grand Slam drought to claim his 18th major title. Standing on the podium, another Rolex took centre stage, a GMT-Master II with a blue-and-black bezel, a watch that has since become inseparable from one of the greatest comebacks in modern tennis.
“I lost Wimbledon. I lost my No. 1 ranking. And suddenly people started saying, ‘He had a great run. Is this the changing of the guard?’ But I knew what I had to do. Keep working. Keep competing.”
— Roger Federer, Dartmouth College commencement speech, 2024
Federer added yet another chapter to his remarkable career later that same year, defeating Marin Čilić to win his eighth Wimbledon title, becoming the most successful men’s singles player in the tournament’s history. This time, a Rolex Datejust 41 accompanied him during the trophy presentation.
A year later came the final Grand Slam triumph of his career. At the 2018 Australian Open, Federer once again overcame Čilić to secure his 20th major title. As he lifted the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup for the last time, a blue-dial Rolex Sky-Dweller completed yet another iconic victory photograph.
Federer’s final professional appearance came at the 2022 Laver Cup, where he shared the court one last time with longtime rival Rafael Nadal. The farewell ceremony that followed became one of the most emotional moments in tennis history, with Nadal himself unable to hold back tears. As Federer waved goodbye to the sport that had defined his life, there was, fittingly, a Rolex on his wrist.
A Passion Beyond the Court
Federer’s relationship with watches has continued well beyond his playing career. He has occasionally been seen wearing vintage Rolex references, while in 2025 he unexpectedly revealed Rolex’s new Land-Dweller to the world before its official launch. A photograph showing the previously unseen model on his wrist immediately captured the attention of collectors. Weeks later, the watch made its official debut at Watches and Wonders, where Federer also appeared as a guest the following year.
In interviews, Federer has often spoken about the emotional significance of his watches. He hopes one day to pass them on to his two sons, describing every new Rolex as a future family heirloom. To him, watches are repositories of memories rather than mere luxury objects. The Datejust, for example, immediately brings Wimbledon to mind. Looking at Federer’s collection today is therefore about much more than appreciating exceptional timepieces, it is about revisiting one of the most extraordinary careers in sporting history. Each dial tells the story of another triumph, another comeback, another unforgettable chapter written on tennis’ greatest stages.
