Cannesfication of Wimbledon 2025: Are Indian celebs dressing for the gram or for crores in endorsements?

Move over Cannes, there's a new global hotspot where fashion, fame and flashbulbs collide, and it's not on a red carpet by the French Riviera but on the green lawns of Centre Court. Yes, you read that right. Wimbledon 2025 didn't just witness epic tennis matches, it hosted a full-blown celebrity parade starring Bollywood's A-listers, influencers, and power couples who made it the it event of the summer.

This year's Wimbledon felt less like a sporting tournament and more like a couture calendar moment. Paparazzi clicks, glam squad sightings, viral fashion accessories, and even designer brooch breakdowns all came together to make Wimbledon 2025 the most talked-about fashion spectacle off the tennis court. So, what sparked this sudden swarm of celebs to London's prim and proper Royal Box and stands? Let's break down the who's who, the what-they-wore, and the why-they-were-even-there, because trust us, it wasn't all about the love for tennis.

Not Just A Match, It’s A Moment: The Fashion Takeover

If anyone turned the Wimbledon lawns into a full-fledged fashion runway, it was Bollywood. From Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sonam Kapoor to Anushka Sharma and even Neena Gupta, celebrities took "tenniscore" and gave it their own glamorous spin.

Let's begin with the global desi girl herself. Priyanka Chopra Jonas redefined "serving looks" in a white halter-neck Ralph Lauren gown. Tailored to perfection, minimal yet powerful, it was a nod to Wimbledon's all-white tradition but with a high-fashion twist. She sat pretty in the stands with Nick Jonas, subtly reminding everyone why she remains an international fashion force.

Meanwhile, Sonam Kapoor made sure no detail was left to chance. For the men's final, she opted for a white pinstriped Ralph Lauren suit adorned with playful elements like a golden racquet brooch and a strawberry pin the two most symbolic tokens of Wimbledon tradition. But the real moment? Her Manolo Blahniks came with tennis ball charms. Trust Sonam to make fashion headlines even before the match begins.

Neena Gupta and Masaba Gupta brought Indian elegance straight to the Royal Box. Neena looked effortlessly regal in a white saree with red floral prints from Good Earth paired with a halter blouse, a modern take on traditional attire. Masaba, true to her bold aesthetic, styled a Nike dress with a white bomber jacket from her own label, accessorised with her signature Nandi (bull) brooches, an Indian spiritual symbol that met streetwear in a whole new way. She even revealed that she swapped her heels last minute for sneakers after a wardrobe malfunction. That's fashion on the go!

Janhvi Kapoor, on the other hand, embraced the Wimbledon garden party vibe with a Miu Miu gingham dress complete with floral embroidery and a bow. Romantic, fresh, and youthful, it was a perfect court-side win. She attended with boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya, who matched her aesthetic with a smart blue blazer look.

The Accessories That Made It to the 'Gram

If the clothes set the tone, the accessories stole the show. Jacqueline Fernandez served a sharp take on tenniscore with a blazer-vest set, but all eyes were on her bag, complete with tennis ball and racquet charms. Statement-making? Check. Instagram-worthy? Double check.

But the internet truly lost it when Urvashi Rautela showed up with not one, but four Labubu dolls (viral collectible horror-style toys) clipped to her Hermès Birkin bag. Yes, you read that right. Her ivory corset dress may have nodded toward elegant Wimbledon whites, but the spooky accessories had netizens confused, amused, and thoroughly engaged.

Why Were Indian Celebs Even There?

Sure, Wimbledon is prestigious, but why this sudden rush of Indian stars, influencers, and power players? It turns out, the answer lies in a single word: business. According to an Instagram post by Indians in Finance, Wimbledon is no longer just about tennis; it's a premium networking ground. Think less "sports event" and more "luxury LinkedIn." Indian celebrities from stars like Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma to social media darlings like Avneet Kaur are increasingly flocking to such international venues not just for visibility but for valuation.

A snapshot at Wimbledon becomes more than a social media post; it becomes a badge of aspiration and influence. The visibility that comes from attending such an event brings instant global media coverage, millions of views, and the possibility of fresh partnerships. For celebrities, it enhances brand value; for companies, it leads to a 400% spike in engagement, stronger recall among Indian consumers, and deeper market reach.

- indiansinfinance- Instagram

From Sport to Spectacle: The Rise of Tenniscore

So, why exactly were Indian celebrities and influencers flocking to Wimbledon this year, often seated just rows behind global icons like David Beckham and Anna Wintour? The answer lies in a powerful mix of brand strategy and business visibility. Being seen at Wimbledon isn't just about enjoying a match, it's about placing yourself in front of the world's top luxury brands like Ralph Lauren, Rolex, Moët, and Jaguar. A single well-angled photo in the Royal Box or a VIP lounge can potentially translate into endorsement deals worth anywhere between Rs. 23 to Rs. 210 crore. With India steadily heading toward becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2027, global brands are increasingly looking to feature Indian faces on prestigious international stages. A snapshot at Wimbledon becomes more than a social media post; it becomes a badge of aspiration and influence. The visibility that comes from attending such an event brings instant global media coverage, millions of views, and the possibility of fresh partnerships. For celebrities, it enhances brand value; for companies, it leads to a 400% spike in engagement, stronger recall among Indian consumers, and deeper market reach. In short, the game at Wimbledon isn't just played on the court anymore; it's played in the spaces between seats, lenses, and luxury branding.

And in that gaze lies power, not just of admiration but of valuation. The right look, the right tag, the right angle can shift perception. It can boost engagement by hundreds of percentage points, spark brand interest, and open doors for luxury campaigns. Wimbledon 2025 has officially become more than a tournament. It has become a moment. A marketing opportunity. A stage, for those who don't even hold a racket.

The quiet elegance of tennis still remains at the heart of Wimbledon. Jannik Sinner's historic win, for example, was rightly celebrated. But this year, alongside the serves and smashes, another parallel narrative unfolded one shaped by gowns, suits, charms, and captions. One that proved that sport, style, and strategy can co-exist in a single frame.

As global attention shifts towards spaces that blend glamour with gravitas, Wimbledon has emerged as one of the strongest contenders. It is no longer just about who wins the trophy, but who sits courtside, and what they wear while doing it. Cannes will always have its charm. But this year, Wimbledon showed it could play in the same league with a little less red carpet, and a lot more white linen.

Wimbledon 2025 will be remembered for many things: Jannik Sinner's historic win, strawberries and cream, rain delays, but in India's pop culture landscape, it will go down as the year Bollywood and influencers turned a tennis tournament into a fashion and branding masterclass.

From Neena Gupta's saree to Sonam Kapoor's strawberry brooch, from Priyanka's halter dress to Masaba's ripped capri, every detail, every accessory, every pose was a story of style, strategy, and soft power.

What once was a stage for athletic greatness has now become a runway for cultural relevance. As the worlds of sports, fashion, business, and cinema continue to blur we won't be surprised if Wimbledon becomes the new Cannes for India's fame economy. And honestly? We're here for it.