Rolex and Tennis

Rolex has been involved with and connected to professional tennis not only as a sponsor, but also as an equal partner in organizing this great sport. The partnership began in 1978 when Rolex became the “Official Watch” of Wimbledon. Wimbledon was chosen by Rolex because the tournament was recognized as the preeminent Grand Slam--a special recognition bestowed on it for at least a few reasons:

• Started in 1877, Wimbledon was the world's first organized tennis tournament.
• Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam that still takes place on grass.
• In the past, the storied event has been dominated by some of the greatest names in tennis, including Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, and, most recently, Roger Federer.

Over the years, Rolex also has associated itself with many other tournaments by becoming their “Official Timekeeper,” including the following:

The Australian Open

Nicknamed the “Happy Slam” by Roger Federer, the Australian Open is the first Grand Slam to be played each calendar year. Held Melbourne, the Grand Slam has evolved into a launching ground for many of the greatest stars since its inception almost a century ago.

The Davis Cup

In 2007, Rolex became the "official timekeeper" of the Davis Cup--organized by BNP Paribas (France's largest banking group). In the Davis Cup, players team up with their countrymen to represent their countries in a season-long elimination match tournament. It is like the yearly Olympics of professional tennis, and Rolex is always present.

The Dubai Tennis Championships

The Dubai Tennis Championships is owned and organized by Dubai Duty Free and Barclays. It has been named twice as “The Tournament of the Year” based on the votes of players and officials. Rolex associated its name with this popular event by becoming one of its co-sponsors in 2007, bringing its record of precision and excellence to the court.

The Monte Carlo Masters Series

This prestigious tournament is presented by Rolex itself. Every year, top male and female tennis stars participate in this event, known for both its high stakes and quality.

Additional Tennis Involvement

Besides the major tournaments above, Rolex also supports the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships held in Newport, Rhode Island. Organized by the non-profit organization The International Hall of Fame (set up in 1954), this tournament reflects the best of tennis tradition. The primary objective of this organization and the tournament is to preserve the heritage of the game of tennis. Another attraction of this event is the ceremony wherein the outstanding tennis stars that have made history with their performances are acknowledged.

While the names and portraits of the best tennis players in history are included in the “Hall of Fame,” Rolex seeks to imitate the skill, diligence, and precision of these great tennis players with its brand. This connection has led Rolex to sponsor many tennis players, who are known for their excellence and dedication. Some of the more recent names worth mentioning are Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Justine Henin, and Marat Safin. Also, it should be noted that John David Newcombe, a living legend in the tennis world, has been a Rolex Ambassador for more than 25 years. Rolex understands and believes that the excellence displayed on the tennis court reflects the quality and precision of a Rolex watch on the wrist.