Tennis has always had a quiet relationship with luxury. Lately, that relationship has been sparkling a little more. Look closely during changeovers and post-match walks, and you will spot it. A familiar clover peeking out, a delicate gold chain resting against crisp whites. Van Cleef & Arpels has become the on-court sensation, without ever making a formal announcement.
What makes it interesting is how unforced it all feels. Van Cleef & Arpels is not known to sponsor any of the tennis stars wearing their pieces. You will not spot their logos on any kits, nor have there been and tennis related marketing campaigns for the brand, yet players keep wearing their pieces anyway. Alhambra necklaces, bracelets, and charms show up naturally, mixed into on and off court fits. Players wear the pieces the way people actually wear fine jewelry, layered, repeated, sometimes mixed, sometimes matched. It’s less about making a statement and more about expressing taste.
In a sport flooded with endorsements, Van Cleef & Arpels shines by doing almost nothing at all. That’s a real power move. No contracts. No press releases. Just a subtle presence that feels intentional. In tennis, where tradition and class carries a lot of weight, that level of discretion feels powerful.
Paula Badosa – Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs in yellow gold and agate, and yellow gold and mother of pearl.
Xinyu Wang – Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs in white gold and chalcedony
Eva Lys – Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs in yellow gold
Elena Rybakina – Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs in white gold
Gabriela Ruse – Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs in yellow gold and onyx
Caty McNally – Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs in white gold and mother of pearl
Marta Kostyuk – Alhambra bracelet 6 motif and matching ear studs both in white gold and diamond
Marta Kostyuk raised the bar as she stepped on court wearing a matching Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra bracelet 6 motif and coordinating ear studs, both in white gold and diamonds.
Anastasia Potapova – Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs and ear studs
Anastasia Potapova was also spotted in a matching set, seamlessly complementing her Nike kit, with a trophy in hand to complete the picture.
Qiang Wang – Alhambra earrings in yellow gold and malachite
Belinda Bencic – Alhambra pendant in yellow gold
Jasmine Paolini – Alhambra pendant in yellow gold and mother of pearl
Aryna Sabalenka – Alhambra pendant in rose gold and mother of pearl
Aryna Sabalenka was always destined to be a part of this list. The current world number one has long embraced statement jewelry, and her taste consistently lands on bold, beautiful pieces. While she is partnered with Audemars Piguet, she also wears a Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra pendant in rose gold and mother of pearl.
It’s not only the WTA where the Van Cleef & Arpels is making its mark. The Alhambra continues to hit aces on the ATP. A few men’s tour players have also been quietly incorporating Van Cleef & Arpels into their looks, showing the brand is spreading across the pro scene. The pieces appear with the same understated confidence. In tennis, where elegance and tradition are greatly valued, the brand’s quiet luxury fits effortlessly. It doesn’t compete with the sport’s heritage, it enhances it.
Alex de Minaur – Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs in white gold
Alex de Minaur is known for a clean, minimal aesthetic. He has been spotted wearing the Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs in white gold, which adds a subtle flash of shine without disrupting his simple look. In a sport where accessories are often either absent or overdone, de Minaur’s choice feels impeccably modern. It’s a small detail, but it changes everything.
Jerry Shang- 3 Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs bracelets
Jerry Shang has quietly become one of the most stylish players on tour and his jewelry choices prove it. He’s been spotted with three Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs at once, each with its own tone and energy. The first is rose gold and carnelian. The second pairs yellow gold with agate. The third is in white gold. What a hattrick!
Grigor Dimitrov- 3 Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs bracelets
Was there ever a doubt Grigor Dimitrov would be on this list? He might just be the most stylish player on the men’s tour. Dimitrov has been seen wearing three Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra bracelet 5 motifs at once, each one a different take on the same classic design. The first is yellow gold and onyx. The second pairs yellow gold with diamond and malachite. The third is yellow gold and carnelian. Together, they look effortless.
To add to his fashion influence, Novak Djokovic joked that his 11 year old son, Stefan, wants bracelets like Grigor’s, but his dad said no. It was a small, funny exchange stating his son’s taste is getting expensive.
*Photos are from Instagram and various tournament photographers. I do not own any of these photos.
