Rolex and The Championships,
Wimbledon.
Rolex first partnered with The Championships, Wimbledon, in 1978. The world’s oldest tennis tournament is the temple of lawn tennis and of the original game. It is also where athletes become legends.
In a district of South West London, the world's oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament has been played on the grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club since 1877. Rolex has been the Official Timekeeper of Wimbledon since 1978, and the partnership has since expanded globally. The omnipresent Rolex Crown now plays a role in all four Grand Slam tournaments worldwide, including the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, and the U.S. Open. Rolex has played an integral part in tennis for almost 45 years.
The Championships, Wimbledon, takes place over two weeks, from July 3rd to the 16th, 2023, and culminates with the Ladies and Gentlemen's Singles Finals during the second week of play. Wimbledon is where up-and-coming athletes become future stars. This year marks the 136th edition of The Championships, Wimbledon, the 129th staging of the Ladies' Singles Championship event, the 55th in the Open Era, and the third Grand Slam tournament of the year. This year also marks the first year that the Wimbledon Championships is held under the reign of King Charles III.
Rolex is the Official Timekeeper and one of the major partners of all leading tennis tournaments. The story began at The Championships, Wimbledon, in 1978 when the brand first became involved with a sport capturing the world’s attention.
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in south-west London has hosted The Championships since the inaugural edition in 1877. The world’s oldest tennis tournament, Wimbledon is the home of the sport and its grass court temple.
"IF YOU CAN MEET WITH TRIUMPH AND DISASTER AND TREAT THOSE TWO IMPOSTORS JUST THE SAME"
A temple of tennis tradition
Above the players’ entrance to Centre Court, which seats 15,000 spectators, lines from the poem If by Rudyard Kipling read:
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same
These verses encapsulate the event’s philosophy because, at Wimbledon, the greatness of the sport lies not in victory but in the humility and perseverance of the champions.
The scene of major showdowns
The intensity of Wimbledon finals on Centre Court means they live on in the memory as extraordinary moments of tennis history. Epic battles between the likes of Rod Laver and John Newcombe, Björn Borg and John McEnroe, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have written the legend of Wimbledon and world tennis.
This unprecedented level of sporting excellence struck a chord with the ethos intrinsic to Rolex. A natural partnership developed at all the major tennis events, now spanning more than 40 years.
Rolex and tennis: a partnership of more than 40 years
Rolex has enjoyed a special relationship with tennis that is deeply rooted in a common philosophy: the continuous pursuit of excellence, a desire for precision and innovation, the elegance of movement, unwavering effort, respect for tradition and a drive to always push beyond personal limits.
Over the years, Rolex has extended its involvement in the sport, becoming the Premium Partner of world tennis in both the men’s and women’s game.
The brand supports most of the major competitions, including all four Grand Slam® tournaments, the season-ending ATP and WTA Finals, the high-status ATP Masters and WTA 1000 tournaments, and the premier international team contests, the Davis Cup Finals and the Laver Cup.
Rolex Testimonees and Wimbledon
Among its Testimonees, Rolex counts a host of Wimbledon champions, including tennis legends Björn Borg and Chris Evert, as well as Stefan Edberg, Garbiñe Muguruza, Angelique Kerber and Roger Federer, who won the men’s singles crown a record eight times.
Today’s leading lights, including Rolex family members Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek, Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff, are aiming to join these greats on the list of winners at this revered tournament.
Rolex and sport
For many decades, the brand has actively championed culture, architecture, exploration and conservation of the planet. And in the sporting world, it has built a diverse range of partnerships across tennis, golf, equestrianism, skiing, sailing and motor sport. Rolex partners governing bodies, competitions and athletes – from established champions to promising talents – in long-standing engagements that perpetuate the future of these disciplines and promote excellence.
Rolex's steadfast dedication to tennis shines through its partnership with the legendary Roger Federer and its commitment to nurturing the sport's rising stars. Federer's unparalleled achievements, including his eight Wimbledon titles, have etched his name in tennis history, and his appreciation for the tournament and its legacy underscores its profound significance to him. Since his retirement from tennis, Federer's visibility has only increased with high-profile appearances and a special visit to the Royal Box at Wimbledon with the Princess of Wales during the first few days of play.
Wimbledon's unique grass courts exude an enchanting and romantic aura, captivating both players and spectators alike. The smaller courts exude a sense of tradition and prestige, evoking nostalgia for a bygone era of tennis. The meticulously trimmed grass offers a velvety texture underfoot, providing a gentle cushioning as players navigate its unpredictable surface. Its lush appearance is complemented by white lines that crisply define the boundaries, contrasting against the verdant backdrop. The fragrance of freshly mown grass lingers in the air, creating a tranquil atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the competitive play.
With the potential for significant shifts in the tennis hierarchy, the year 2023 stands as a testament to the sport's dynamism and unpredictability. The game's excitement reaches unprecedented levels as fresh names rise to prominence. Rolex, ever attuned to the evolving narratives and achievements within tennis, continues to capture and celebrate these moments, cementing its position as a guardian of the sport's past and future.
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