Goodbye to Rolex’s Most Overlooked Ambassador: Andy Roddick

UPDATE: Roddick loses to Juan Martin del Potro, another Rolex ambassador.

In 2003, Andy Roddick and Roger Federer won their first Grand Slams. Since then, Federer has racked up 16 additional Grand Slam victories, while the U.S. Open victory in 2003 remains Roddick’s only Grand Slam title. This year’s U.S. Open is Roddick’s last chance to claim another, as the 30-year old announced his retirement after the U.S. Open on his birthday yesterday. It was a sad moment for many American tennis fans, as Roddick is the second-highest ranked American on the ATP tour (he’s currently ranked 22; American John Isner is ranked #10).

While fans are hopeful that Roddick will cap off his career with another Grand Slam title, the competition is fierce. He’s reached four other Grand Slam finals in his career: Wimbledon in 2004, 2005, and 2009, and the U.S. Open in 2006. In the closing ceremonies, he’s always sported a Rolex. With his Lacoste, Babolat, American Express, and Lexus sponsorships so well-marketed, Roddick’s sponsorship with Rolex is woefully overlooked in comparison. We know that Rolex accounts for 33% of Federer’s earnings (which is enormous, considering Federer is sponsored by Mercedes, Nike, Gillette, and Wilson), but we’re curious as to how much Roddick takes in from Rolex.

Roddick has donned a Rolex for all of his Grand Slam finals after his US Open Victory in 2003. However, he’s not featured as an ambassador on Rolex’s tennis section on their website, and he never wears the watch during his press interviews – perhaps Lacoste wants the focus solely on their brand?

Andy Roddick at press conference August 30, 2012 (Susan Mullane, USA Today Sports)

Roddick, U.S. Open Victory in 2003

Wimbledon 2004 (note the absence of a Rolex on Federer’s wrist)

Andy Roddick’s Victory at the 2005 Legg Mason

Wimbledon 2009

Roddick sporting a Rolex Daytona at Wimbledon 2009

Andy Roddick in Memphis in 2009

We’re sure Andy Roddick’s wife, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker, will be cheering him from the sidelines tonight. She also wears a Rolex.