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.

Published on June 24, 2024

As the epitome of sophistication, style, and excellence, Rolex’s partnership with The Championships, Wimbledon is only fitting. Both names are steeped in rich histories, each telling a tale of grandeur and accomplishment. We at James & Sons Fine Jewelers are immensely proud of our title as an Official Rolex Jeweler, befitted with the honor of housing an unparalleled selection of Rolex timepieces. Our Chicago, Naperville, Orland Park, and Schererville jewelry stores each provide an exceptional backdrop for these feats of horological excellence.

Rolex is the Official Timekeeper and one of the major partners of all the leading tournaments. The story began at The Championships, Wimbledon, in 1978 when the brand first became involved with a sport that was capturing the world’s attention like never before.

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 been written into the legend of Wimbledon and world tennis.

This unprecedented level of sporting excellence strikes a chord with an ethos intrinsic to Rolex and a natural partnership has developed at all the major tennis events.

Rolex and tennis: a partnership of almost 50 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, Roger Federer – who won the men’s singles crown a record eight times – and rising star Carlos Alcaraz.

Today’s leading lights, including Rolex family members 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 Us In Store at James & Sons

Whether you’re an athlete or a business person, a socialite or a senator, our selection of Rolex watches here at James & Sons, an Official Rolex Jeweler, is certain please even the most discerning of tastes. Each of our Chicago, Naperville and Orland Park jewelry stores, as well as our phenomenal Schererville, Indiana location, are staffed by amiable and experienced personnel who are ever prepared to guide you toward the timepiece that best suits your needs. Contact us today to own a piece of excellence today.