Cover Kate Upton has been one of the most committed baseball WAGs since her relationship with Justin Verlander. (Photo: Instagram / @kateupton)
Kate Upton has been one of the most committed baseball WAGs since her relationship with Justin Verlander. (Photo: Instagram / @kateupton)
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While the athletes chase trophies, these WAGs win in their own right—across fashion, media, sport and business
When you hear “WAGs”, your brain probably jumps to Premier League royalty or courtside glam. But beyond football’s flash and basketball’s buzz, there’s a global roster of wives and girlfriends who bring their star power to the sports world. Whether in Formula 1’s jet-set circles, tennis’s Grand Slam entourages or golf’s country club scene, these women are CEOs, actresses and philanthropists. They’re not just with the stars, they are the stars. Here’s a tour of the most fascinating WAGs from sports you may not have realised had such seriously elite plus-ones.
Also read: 7 female athletes who changed the history of sport
1. Formula 1
Formula 1 isn’t just about roaring engines and champagne podiums; it’s also a magnet for some of the most stylish, high-profile women in the world. From model-musicians to real-life princesses, the F1 paddock often looks like a Met Gala afterparty on wheels.
Kelly Piquet (girlfriend of Max Verstappen)
The Brazilian model and PR professional is also F1 royalty: she’s the daughter of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet and previously dated Daniil Kvyat, with whom she has a child. Now she’s with two-time (and counting) champ Max Verstappen, making her the Queen Bee of the paddock.
Don’t miss: 5 greatest Formula One drivers of all time: Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and more
Carmen Montero Mundt (girlfriend of George Russell)
A finance professional by day and low-key Instagram It-girl by night, Carmen Montero Mundt brings a grounded glamour to the F1 grid. She’s often seen in understated luxury—think Toteme meets The Row—with just the right mix of soft tailoring and London polish. A fan favourite for her elegance and quiet confidence, she’s proof that you don’t need reality TV drama to turn heads.
Isabel Hernaez (girlfriend of Carlos Sainz Jr)
A Spanish journalist with a penchant for fashion editorials and mystery, Hernaez is as editorially chic as they come. Often snapped in classic European silhouettes and glossy brunette waves, she exudes old-school Madrid cool. With her background in beauty and media, she plays the PR game with subtle finesse—and F1 fans are hooked.
2. Tennis
Tennis may be a solo sport on court, but the WAG game is strong on the sidelines. Between Wimbledon whites and Riviera summers, the women supporting (and often outshining) the players deserve their own trophies.
Xisca Perelló (wife of Rafael Nadal)
She’s not one for paparazzi shots or red carpets, but that’s exactly why fans love her. A business graduate and director of the Rafa Nadal Foundation, Xisca Perelló has been with Rafa since their teenage years and is famously camera-shy, making her quiet presence at tournaments all the more iconic.
See more: Rafael Nadal retires: What the tennis legend says about mental resilience and sacrifice
Brooklyn Decker (wife of Andy Roddick)
This is one of those WAGs who is a superstar in her own right. The model-turned-actress known for Just Go With It and Grace and Frankie married tennis star Andy Roddick in 2009. She was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2010 and then again for its 60th anniversary issue in 2024. Her star power rivals her husband’s, and the two are now one of the most low-key (and likeable) couples in American sports.
Kim Sears (wife of Andy Murray)
Known for her sharp wit, art degree and meme-worthy reactions in the stands, Kim Sears became a household name at Wimbledon. A published children’s book illustrator, she’s one of the most visible and charming presences among tennis WAGs.
3. Golf
Golf WAGs don’t always get the same coverage as their football or racing counterparts, but don’t be fooled—the country club set is teeming with high-achievers, entrepreneurs and low-key icons.
Paulina Gretzky (wife of Dustin Johnson)
The daughter of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and a model/singer in her own right, Paulina Gretzky brings Hollywood sparkle to the PGA Tour. Whether in Augusta or at a LIV Golf gala, she’s always dressed to dominate.
Angela Akins (wife of Sergio Garcia)
A former golf reporter for the Golf Channel, Angela Akins Garcia knows the sport better than most of the men on tour. Now married to Sergio Garcia, she balances family life and tournament travel with a calm, pro-level polish.
4. Baseball
Baseball has a surprisingly strong WAG culture, especially in the US and Japan, where star players often marry actresses, models and media personalities.
Maki Goto (wife of Yuji Nakazawa)
The former Morning Musume idol and pop star married baseball pitcher Yuji Nakazawa in a match that united J-pop royalty with athletic prowess. It was the kind of tabloid gold that sent fans (and aunties) swooning.
Kate Upton (wife of Justin Verlander)
A supermodel who graced the covers of Sports Illustrated, Kate Upton is no background wife. She’s been a bold, vocal supporter of her husband, especially during his World Series runs—and her outfits often outshine the team uniforms.
5. Track and field
You might catch glimpses of them during the Olympics or Commonwealth Games, but these WAGs, partners to the fastest people on Earth, live lives just as dynamic as any sprint finish.
Kasi Bennett (partner of Usain Bolt)
A Jamaican businesswoman and social media star, Kasi Bennett has been with Bolt through multiple Olympic wins and endorsement deals. She’s got her own fitness empire and is raising three children with the world’s fastest man. Talk about a power couple.
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