Wimbledon tennis players and their favourite drinks
SW19 is famous for its Pimm’s, strawberries and cream, and, of course, Champagne. But alongside these staples, the stars of the game enjoy their own favourite tipples off the grass court. db investigates.
Wimbledon in early July with rain and sunshine and incredible tennis. One of the highlights of the tennis major calendar, it not only showcases fizz and sparkle on Centre Court, but also in the favoured brands of its elite level players.
Over the years, tennis stars have endorsed a number of famous drinks brands, and also highlighted their own preferences.
Roger FedererIt is unsurprising that the refined playing style, flair and exacting style that Federer showed on the court of the years is reflected in his choice of wines. R-Fed, as he is known to fans, has previously said he likes a glass of fine red wine, especially Italian wines such as Brunello di Montalcino.
In addition, Federer has worked with Moët & Chandon. Federer, who began his relationship as a brand ambassador for the Champagne house in 2012, has starred in Moët & Chandon’s 2015 advertising campaign, titled The Now, and also more recently The Iconic Moments, in December 2023.
In the latter, the seven-time Wimbledon champion can be seen clad in a tuxedo, dashing around, making sure every detail is perfect before his guests arrive. It was shot in the opulent interior Château de Saran, which has been one of Moët & Chandon’s Champagne residences since 1801 and was restored in 2019.
Federer said of his involvement in the short film: “I thoroughly enjoyed playing the role of a dapper host planning a convivial French dinner party with the invaluable assistance of my friends. This joint effort was like real life, and it turned out perfectly because of its authentic, shared moment.”
Serena WilliamsThe other big winner on the grass court, Serena Williams, is also a drinker of fine wines, and also has stated her love of Italian wines, especially Barolo.
Additionally, Williams has ventured into the wine business herself, launching her own label, which includes a variety of reds, whites, and rosés.
Williams has also recently become an investor in NBA legend Michael Jordan’s Cincoro Tequila brand, which is planning for international expansion outside the US, set to begin this summer. She also teamed up with Rémy Martin last year for a Superbowl advert.
“We are honored to partner with a cultural icon like Serena whose commitment to excellence is unmatched for the first-ever advertisement for iconic Cognac House, Rémy Martin,” said Nicolas Beckers, CEO, Rémy Cointreau Americas, at the time.
Venus WilliamsSerena’s older sister also works with several drinks brands, including Ketel One, and has declared her preference for its botanical vodka canned spritzes, which she has said are a “light and refreshing” summer drink.
Venus has also said she likes a glass of wine but told Essentially Sports: “If I could have wine every day, I definitely would but I don’t. Because I like my waist, I like having a waist.”
Andy MurrayBritish tennis legend Sir Andy Murray has something of an on-off relationship with alcohol. In 2009, he said that he had given up alcohol after a “hangover from hell” in Barcelona as a 16 year old, before then showing himself on Instagram in 2018 downing Champagne and beers after a challenging year on the court.
Then last year he got into a Twitter discussion with fellow player Benoit Paire after replying to Ricky Gervais’ tweet about “you can lose three things”, and putting alcohol top of the list. Benoit replied that alcohol is “the most important” and “even more for a Scottish (person)”.
Although it isn’t specifically known if Murray has a taste for Scotch whisky, a number of iconic Scotch brands have special releases to celebrate his Olympics and Wimbledon titles, including Bruichladdich for his 2013 victory. Glenturret also launched an “Andy Murray cask” honouring “Andrew Barron Murray, the Scottish tennis maestro famous for doing what Henman couldn’t”.
Rafael NadalRafael Nadal, synonymous with clay court dominance, prefers traditional Spanish drinks.
Nadal is known to enjoy a good glass of Spanish red wine, particularly from the Rioja region, known for its full-bodied and robust wines.
As well as saying he likes a glass of wine, Rafa told Marca in 2020 that he liked to party, and he liked Tequila. Rafa also likes a glass of low- and no-alcohol beer, as this image of him fronting Amstel’s 0.0% campaign shows.
Novak DjokovicNovak Djokovic is perhaps better known for his highly disciplined diet and lifestyle. But his family have also got involved in the wine business, unsurprisingly with a biodynamic and organic philosophy.
He has released two labels to market with his family-owned winery. Djokovic Syrah 2020 and Djokovic Chardonnay 2020 appeared in wine shops and on restaurant wine lists in Serbia at the end of 2022.
Aussie player Kyrgios has a penchant for drinking beers on court, questioning other people’s beer consumption, and has been captured in a press conference downing a Stella Artois in six seconds…
Jessica PegulaAnother beer fan can be found in American tennis star Jessica Pegula, who casually drank from a can of Heineken during her press conference after defeat at the US Open in 2022.
She said that she did it as she needed to be hydrated for a drugs test…but did also admit that it helped after her loss to world number one, Iga Swiatek.
Maria Sharapova, the Russian tennis star known for her powerful game, has a refined taste in drinks. She has often been seen enjoying a glass of Champagne, specifically Moët & Chandon.
The former world number one admitted that she was drinking more as she entered retirement too, and in 2021 became a brand ambassador for Basil Hayden’s bourbon, explaining that her favourite drink was a Whiskey Sour cocktail.
Sloane StephensFormer US Open champion Sloane Stephens took to Instagram in May to talk about her Italian Wine Tour.
Clearly one for a good bottle, she outlined the different grape varieties, DOCs and various food pairings that would be undertaken during her trip.
