Rolex and Tennis

One of the most iconic timepieces, the Rolex Datejust has a celebrated history of delivering both precision, endurance and style. These are values the watch shares with “the King’s sport”, tennis. The game celebrates the grace and the power of athleticism. Long’s Jewelers has a vested interest in this grand past-time because Boston was the birthplace of the Davis Cup in 1900 — 12 years after we first opened our doors in 1878.

Nowhere is this elegant combination better executed than at The Championships, Wimbledon, the annual international competition held in England each July. And that’s because tradition elevates this event for players and spectators alike. Guests are served strawberries and cream and drink refreshing Pimm's Cups. Players must be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white. These rituals elevate the event (while also providing world class performances).

Long’s is proud to be an Official Rolex Jeweler, and the brand has been the official timepiece of The Championships, Wimbledon for over 40 years.  Emblematic of this long-standing partnership, the Rolex Datejust is an instantly recognizable watch--classic elegance in its appearance, but just as innovative. Here’s a brief history of the brand’s enduring ties to Wimbledon and how this sport, steeped in rituals, also continues to evolve.

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.

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. 

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.

Visit Long’s today in any of our six locations throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire to learn more about the Datejust first-hand and to discover which Rolex model is the best match for your lifestyle. As an Official Rolex Jeweler, we are among the few retailers authorized to sell Rolex watches. With the necessary skills and technical know-how, our team will help you make the choice that will last a lifetime.