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.
A PARTNERSHIP STANDING THE TEST OF TIME
Rolex commenced its long-standing partnership with tennis in 1978 when it became the Official Timekeeper of The Championships, Wimbledon, a role it continues to perform today. Over the years, the brand has extended its involvement and counts among its Testimonees such luminaries of the sport as Rod Laver, Chris Evert, Björn Borg, Roger Federer and Garbiñe Muguruza.
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 & 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.
The temple of tennis tradition
Above the players’ entrance to Centre Court – which in 2022 is celebrating its centenary at its current home in the Church Road ground and seats 15,000 – 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 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 Navrátilová, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have written the legend of Wimbledon and world tennis.
A watershed moment in history
The year, 1978. The tournament had opened up to professionals a decade earlier and a golden age of international tennis was beginning. The major competitions garnered
worldwide interest while the champions fascinated people of all ages. That year, Wimbledon attracted crowds of more than 300,000, leading to the expansion of
the prestigious Centre Court. Björn Borg, at age 22, won the men’s singles title for the third year running by beating the American Jimmy Connors in straight sets. The women’s final was
contested by two young champions, Martina Navrátilová and Chris Evert, who would go on to dominate the game for 15 years. This unprecedented level of sporting excellence struck a chord with the values intrinsic to Rolex. From there, a natural partnership was born, one that incorporated the four Grand Slam® events, now spanning almost 45 years.
Rolex and tennis: a partnership of almost 45 years
Rolex has enjoyed a special relationship with tennis that is deeply rooted in a common philosophy: the continuous pursuit of excellence, the 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 ATP and WTA Finals, the ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, the Davis Cup and the Laver Cup.
Rolex and Wimbledon Testimonees
Among its Testimonees, Rolex counts a host of Wimbledon champions including Björn Borg and Chris Evert, as well as Stefan Edberg, Garbiñe Muguruza, Angelique Kerber and, of course, Roger Federer, who has won the tournament a record eight times.
Rolex and sport
Hans Wilsdorf believed in challenging oneself and held a lofty view of sport’s role in society. To test his watches, he entrusted them to those who pushed themselves to the absolute limit. Driven by an unwavering quest for excellence, the founder of Rolex discovered valuable allies in athletes through their exceptional feats. For many decades, the brand has actively championed culture, architecture, exploration and planetary conservation. 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
