In tennis, timing is everything. That might explain why Rolex feels so at home on court. As Roland-Garros returned in May, the Swiss watchmaker resumed its role as Official Timekeeper—a title that speaks as much to tradition as it does to precision.
Nowhere is this relationship more compelling than on the red clay of Paris, where two generations of champions—Chris Evert and Iga Świątek—embody the Swiss manufacture’s long-standing connection to the sport.
Rolex became the Official Timekeeper of Wimbledon in 1978. It took decades, but by 2019, the brand had completed its own version of the Grand Slam, becoming the Official Timekeeper for all four majors: Australian Open, Roland- Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
For Rolex, tennis is not just about timing; it’s about celebrating human potential. The sport’s demand for precision, endurance, and grace aligns seamlessly with the values Rolex upholds in watchmaking. This philosophy is reflected in the brand’s commitment not only to tournaments but also to the Rolex Testimonees it supports, assisting them in their personal journeys.
Chris Evert and Iga Świątek are two of its brightest. Though separated by generations, both players have impacted clay-court tennis in their respective eras.
Evert, who won Roland-Garros a record seven times during the 1970s and 1980s, set a standard for consistency and elegance. Świątek, the reigning champion with four titles already under her belt at just 23 years old, is swiftly rewriting history. Their styles echo one another: heavy topspin, sharp movement, and a sense of calm even when the clay gets messy. If Evert refined the blueprint; Świątek weaponised it.
Świątek’s 2024 title was especially hard-earned. She stared down match point in the second round, clawed her way back, and lifted the trophy two weeks later. “I really thought I was out of the tournament. I think it was the longest match I’ve ever played on clay and it kind of broke my heart. This was the most meaningful title of my career because of how close I came to losing,” she admitted.
The moment turned poetic when Chris Evert handed her the Suzanne-Lenglen Trophy on Court Philippe-Chatrier. A ceremonial gesture that was also a passing of the torch. “There’s no doubt in my mind that she can pass me,” Evert said. “She is the perfect clay-court player.” Świątek, ever gracious, replied: “I’m still a princess; there’s only one queen.”
That quiet bond between champions captures the spirit of the Rolex family of Testimonees—rooted in admiration, united by legacy. For Świątek, joining Rolex as a Testimonee in 2021 was more than a milestone.
“It made me feel like I was part of something bigger,” she said. “The whole legacy that Rolex brings gave me the feeling I was writing a story that wasn’t only going to stay on the tennis court, and that there was somebody who believes in me.”
Rolex’s commitment to tennis extends to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), high-level tournaments, including the Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 events, the Nitto ATP Finals and the WTA Finals, and leading team competitions, such as the Laver Cup and Davis Cup Finals. Among its prestigious group of Rolex Testimonees are some of tennis’ brightest stars, including Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Jannik Sinner, Qinwen Zheng, and, of course, Świątek.
Rolex’s support of these athletes, both emerging and legendary, speaks to its long-term vision. In choosing to back individuals who exemplify excellence, determination, and grace under pressure, investing not just in sport but in stories, ones that transcend scoreboards and instead define eras.
Roland-Garros may be over, but the story continues. Świątek has once again proven her dominance on clay, edging ever closer to Evert’s historic record. With the legend’s blessing and Rolex in her corner, she’s not just chasing greatness—she’s carrying it forward.
