From Cannes to Centre Court, Bollywood and influencers are serving style at Wimbledon
From the red carpet at Cannes to the green grass of Centre Court, Indian celebrities and influencers are playing a new game—and it’s less about tennis and more about brand visibility. As one of the oldest (or, in Gen Z terms, OG) tennis tournaments concluded on Sunday, July 13, Wimbledon proved to be more than just a Grand Slam—it became a runway of relevance for Bollywood stars, influencers, and social media darlings.
Stand-up comic and theatre actor Anu Menon may have summed it up best when she quipped that “Wimbledon is the new Cannes for India’s rich and almost-famous.” The spotlight has shifted from aces and volleys to selfies, designer labels, and global networking. As one brand manager put it bluntly, “It isn’t just about tennis—it’s about brand deals, networking, and visibility.”
With Centre Court tickets starting at a modest £300, the returns—if you’re an influencer or celeb, could be monumental. “A well-placed appearance could lead to a million-dollar endorsement deal,” the manager added. And there was plenty of star power to go around. From Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma to Priyanka Chopra, Indian stars mingled with global celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio—who, notably, debuted the new Rolex Sea-Dweller while watching the drama unfold on court.
Among the most talked-about attendees was Janhvi Kapoor, who watched the semifinal match between Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz alongside boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya. Dressed in a powder blue Miu Miu midi dress with a plunging neckline, Kapoor aced both fashion and press duties, offering well-rehearsed lines about her Wimbledon debut and love for tennis. Not just a spectator, Janhvi was there representing Miu Miu, the fashion house she has increasingly become associated with.
“From her Cannes debut this May to attending the Miu Miu flagship opening in London, Janhvi is being softly launched as a brand ambassador,” revealed a fashion insider. “She fits their ethos of contemporary femininity with a touch of rebellion. Her Wimbledon appearance aligns with that branding perfectly.”
The Indian glam squad was in full attendance. Last year saw Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani courtside, while this year, the guest list featured a rotation of cricketers, actors, and influencers all serving their best fashion-forward foot forward.
“Wimbledon is about sport, but it’s also about finance, visibility, and brand value,” notes a marketing executive. “With marquee sponsors like Rolex, Ralph Lauren, and Jaguar, the tournament is a prime platform for Indian celebrities to be scouted as brand ambassadors. With India poised to become a trillion-dollar economy, luxury brands are watching closely.”
In other words, game, set, match—Wimbledon is now the ultimate turf for India’s rising celebrity class to score global recognition.
