Geneva, Switzerland, Monday 28 June 2021 – Almost two years after the last ball was hit on Centre Court, the world’s finest tennis players will once again gather in south-west London from 28 June to 11 July to contest the world’s oldest tennis tournament, The Championships, Wimbledon. Rolex also returns as the tournament’s Official Timekeeper.
Wimbledon, an event steeped in history and cherished for its unique atmosphere and long-standing traditions, has a special place on the international sports calendar. The All England Club is where epic duels continue to push standards beyond their discipline. This is the place where standards to play by become standards to live by. This is the place where legends are written.
In 1978, Rolex became Official Timekeeper of this English summer ritual, marking the start of a blossoming relationship that now extends to all four Grand Slam® events. The brand also supports the major organizations that administer the game worldwide, and has forged partnerships with some of the greatest players in the history of the sport, including Björn Borg, Chris Evert, Rod Laver and Swiss maestro Roger Federer, who holds the record for most men’s singles titles at The Championships with eight.
The grass surface at Wimbledon presents players with unique challenges, the lower, faster ball bounce requiring exceptional patience, timing and precision, qualities that resonate with Rolex’s quest for perpetual excellence in all its endeavours – from its watchmaking to its patronage of sport, the arts, exploration and environmental projects.
GENERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
In 2021, Rolex celebrates the achievements of one particular Testimonee. Indeed, it was 40 years ago that American Chris Evert claimed her third and final Wimbledon crown. The top seed did not drop a single set all tournament, winning the final 6-2, 6-2.
Evert’s outstanding consistency was not reserved for just The Championships. She won 18 Grand Slam singles titles during her illustrious career, capturing at least one of the sport’s four most coveted prizes for 13 consecutive seasons, from 1974 to 1986 inclusive. She set a standard of excellence that players around the world still aspire to.
ROLEX TESTIMONEES IN LONDON
Several fellow Testimonees return to SW19 having previously enjoyed the ultimate success there. Swiss icon Roger Federer will be making his 23rd appearance in the main draw, having won a record eight men’s singles titles. He will be joined by Garbiñe Muguruza of Spain, and Germany’s Angelique Kerber, respectively the 2017 and 2018 women’s singles champions.
Other Testimonees will be vying to win their first Wimbledon championship and Grand Slam title, including World No. 4 Stéfanos Tsitsipás of Greece who has been in impressive form so far this year. The 22-year-old reached the first Grand Slam final of his career at Roland-Garros earlier this month, while he has already claimed two titles this season, including his first ATP Masters 1000 crown at the Rolex MonteCarlo Masters, swiftly followed by victory at the ATP Lyon Open. Italian Jannik Sinner and American Cori Gauff, two of the rising stars on their respective tours, will be emboldened after winning titles in 2021. Sinner took the honours at the Great Ocean Road Open in Melbourne, while Gauff lifted the trophy at the inaugural EmiliaRomagna Open in Parma, Italy.
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