From Lewis Hamilton to Aryna Sabalenka, the rise of sport's jewellery statement

Once upon a time, an athlete was allowed to have one identity; that of an athlete. Beyond the game they played and the uniform they adorned on the field, it was rare to see a sports player express their individuality and sense of self. Over the years, however, an athlete’s kit bag has made room for more than just boots, tape and a water bottle. Diamond studs under a bike helmet, a stack of custom necklaces under a tennis dress, an engagement ring worn mid-serve — sport's biggest stars are no longer leaving their sparkle in the locker room. In sports built on uniforms, rulebooks and identical kits, jewellery exists as one of the few spaces left for personal expression. As HELLO! India explores through some of the most celebrated sportspersons in the world who use jewellery to tell a story about their identity beyond the field, this reasoning only becomes more apparent.

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton may just be one of the most decorated jewellery wearers in sports. This title comes not as an exaggeration or simply due to his fascination with a well-designed piece of jewellery but rather the longstanding public standoff he has had with the FIA over its rule banning jewellery on the grid. In 2022, the champion essentially took to defying the rules by simply refusing to remove his signature diamond nose stud by New York-based luxury piercing brand Maria Tash. That very year, he turned up to a Miami Grand Prix press conference wearing three watches, several necklaces, multiple diamond rings and diamond stud earrings. The impact he left with this act of defiance would act as a catalyst for other motorsports stars to bring to the track their own pieces of jewellery like Roman Grosjean and his wedding band and Yuki Tsunoda in his Chrome Hearts design. 

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However, the sport that has perhaps seen the most jewellery in terms of sheer volume is probably tennis. Tennis legends like Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova are longstanding examples of bringing sparkle onto the court and players like Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka have turned the court into their own runway. It’s also imperative to keep in mind that this was the very sport that coined the term “tennis bracelet’. In a field that rarely allows individuality to shine through beyond their proficiency as a player, the courtside has recently become a runway of sorts where players have taken the opportunity to advertise themselves as more than just the sport they play. 

Serena Williams’ engagement ring, which has made steady appearances on the court, has become a defining piece for her. She often sports pieces from her own label, Serena Williams Jewelry; proof that for Williams, bling was never something to save for after the match point. With Serena as a compelling precedent, Aryna Sabalenka has been serving as the perfect ambassador for Material Good, a New-York based fine jewellery boutique, both on and off-the court. Sabalenka has been seen sporting multiple collections from the brand. Her Wimbledon all-white ensemble was paired with a new, bespoke set of gold jewellery studded with diamonds and emeralds. The Belarusian player has described her jewellery as "a personal ritual"; something worn with intention rather than just for show.

Aside from branding, jewellery also becomes a way to express an athlete’s cultural heritage. A look at any of Naomi Osaka’s looks would make one notice her appreciation of her Japanese and Haitian roots. Most recently, her Wimbledon Kimono-inspired ensemble features a kanzashi-style headpiece along with pearl and diamond earrings and bracelets from Japanese heritage jeweller Mikimoto. 

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Cricket is yet another sport that has seen a multitude of players showcasing jewellery on the field. Abhishek Sharma has become known for his signature Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra bracelet that rarely leaves his wrist during matches, sparking fan-made replicas and a wave of "get his look" posts online. Paired with a diamond tennis chain and stud earrings and it's his go-to on and off-field jewellery look.

Hardik Pandya is yet another instantly recognisable cricket figure who has been regularly seen sporting diamonds and cricket-inspired pendants to accessorise, both out of uniform or during an intense match. The women’s cricket team also has a clear headliner for the love of all things shiny. Smriti Mandhana, vice-captain of the Indian women's cricket team and a World Cup winner, recently became the face of lifestyle jewellery brand Candere by Kalyan Jewellers. She's been candid that jewellery isn't reserved for her special occasions; it's part of how she shows up every day, on the field included.

While most contact sports completely ban any jewellery on the field, many athletes have gone on to flash their bling off the field right up to the moment the game starts. Neymar’s signature earring stacks including diamond studs, hoops and dangling diamond charms has become iconic among fans. Cristiano Ronaldo’s brand ambassadorship for Jacob & Co. or his blingy studs or even his match-day single dangling cross earring have become elements crucial to the footballer. Ultimately, what used to be dismissed as a distraction is now being recognised as part of the show and the identity of the athlete.

Whether it's Sabalenka's clay-court garnets, Hamilton's decade-long jewellery standoff, or a young cricketer's signature bracelet going viral, sport's biggest names have made it clear: performance and personal style aren't mutually exclusive. If anything, the bling has become part of what makes them unmistakably themselves.

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Text by Judah Abujam 

Edited by Sabrina Mathews