“Chasing vs. defending” — Novak Djokovic on tennis, tourbillons & his Hublot collection
Time+TideNovak Djokovic. 24 Grand Slams. 101 titles. And a philosophy on winning that sounds a lot like the best kind of watchmaking — obsessive, precise, and always building toward something greater. Ahead of the 2026 US Open, we sat down with Novak Djokovic, a tennis GOAT and Hublot brand ambassador, to talk watches, legacy, and what it really means to be number one. Turns out, the greatest tennis player of all time thinks a lot about mechanisms — and not just the ones keeping score.
Novak breaks down why he gravitates toward sporty, lightweight watches (the Big Bang, naturally), why tourbillons speak to him, and the very specific biomechanical challenge of wearing a watch while playing a double-handed backhand. (Spoiler: it’s harder than it looks. Especially from the fifth floor, which is roughly where John Isner’s serve is coming from.)
He also takes on one of the great questions of sporting life: is it more thrilling to chase number one, or defend it? His answer — reframing “defending” as “building more history” — is the kind of mindset shift that separates champions from competitors. And it maps perfectly onto collecting: the hunt is everything, but once you have it, the real game begins. Plus: the three hardest servers he’s ever had to return (all like 6’10″+), which Novak Djokovic x Hublot collab is his personal favourite, and why he believes wearing a watch on court is genuinely cool — even if the physics of a two-handed backhand make it a serious engineering consideration.
This is horological conversation at the highest level of sport. Don’t miss it.
Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Novak Djokovic GOAT Edition pricing and specifications
| Brand | Hublot |
| Model | Big Bang Tourbillon Novak Djokovic GOAT Edition |
| Case Dimensions | 44mm (D) x 14.4mm (T) |
| Case Material | Matte blue, orange or green composite, made from N. Djokovic’s shirts and rackets |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Flat sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Openworked |
| Strap | White calfskin leather strap, grip tape pattern, case-matching Velcro® closure Additional white rubber strap, case-matching polished aluminium sport buckle |
| Movement | HUB6035, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, tourbillon |
| Availability | Limited production |
| Price | US$115,000 |