Rolex and the Championships, Wimbledon – partners in innovation

Rolex’s enduring alliance with The Championships, Wimbledon, has been nurtured over several decades and has always focused on the future and the development of tennis. The Swiss watch brand has been Official Timekeeper of the pre-eminent grass court tournament since 1978, and is committed to supporting the All England Club as it embarks on a major blueprint for innovation to secure the future of The Championships.

Rolex Testimonees will again be among the tennis greats competing for the men’s and women’s titles at the 2017 Championships. Representing the men’s game will be Swiss tennis legend and record-equalling seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, Milos Raonic, the 2016 finalist from Canada, and Grigor Dimitrov from Bulgaria, a semi-finalist in 2014. Germany’s Angelique Kerber, the current World No. 1 who played in last year’s final, Danish champion Caroline Wozniacki and Spain’s Garbiñe Muguruza, a finalist in 2015, will be competing in the women’s tournament.

MARKING TIME AT WIMBLEDON
Wimbledon is the world’s oldest tennis championship, whose rich heritage stretches back to 1877, when 22 tennis players competed in front of 200 spectators at the All England Club’s courts for the first Gentlemen’s Singles Championship. Today, Wimbledon, is widely acknowledged as the most popular Grand Slam® tournament, watched by millions worldwide.

Rolex has been part of this history for almost 40 years as the tournament’s Official Timekeeper. Its clocks keep the official time inside this classic arena, on court and throughout the grounds. The media centre – an international hub – shows Rolex time in Wimbledon, and in Johannesburg, Melbourne, New York, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, and Tokyo, just a few of the major cities where the tournament is broadcast live.

Nearly 500,000 enthusiasts gather at Church Road every year over the two weeks of competition to watch the finest players from around the world, including fans who queue overnight for tickets, and the royalty, VIPs and celebrities invited to the Royal Box.

ROLEX AND THE CHAMPIONSHIPS, WIMBLEDON – PARTNERS IN INNOVATION
A Rolex Testimonee since 2001, Federer, who won at Wimbledon for the seventh time in 2012, shares this enthusiasm. The Swiss phenomenon, who spent 300 weeks at No. 1 and won his 18th Grand Slam® title at the Australian Open earlier this year, says: “For me, Wimbledon represents perfection, everything that is good about the sport. I love everything the tournament does, whether it’s the ivy on the wall or the perfect cut grass – it just all makes sense.”

COMBINING INNOVATION AND TRADITION
Wimbledon, is, like Rolex, known for combining its tradition with innovation, an approach that informs the All England Club’s new Master Plan. The key elements include a three-year building programme under way at the complex, the focus of which is the development of Court No. 1 to create a second retractable roof, as well as continued investment in the integrity of the sport and an enhanced grass-court season.

This commitment to innovation while upholding its cherished traditions can be seen in many other ways. Wimbledon remains the only Grand Slam® tournament played on grass. To ensure the precision play for which the tournament is renowned, the Perennial Ryegrass, scientifically chosen for its durability and speed underfoot, is relined on each court every year, and rolled and mowed to exactly 8 mm daily for the tournament. Hawk-eye computer technology, which tracks the trajectory of the ball and helps to ensure precise line-calls, was introduced in 2007 with Rolex’s support. And, in 2009, Wimbledon installed a revolutionary retractable roof over Centre Court, improving the experience for players and spectators.

In parallel, the English championship’s customs are recognized internationally as marks of its distinctive character. These range from the rule requiring competitors to dress almost entirely in white, to the highly trained ball boys and girls, and the ever-present strawberries and cream enjoyed by those attending.
Wimbledon has constantly evolved, yet retained its unique image, achieving a perfect balance between modern-day technology and heritage.

MAKING EXCELLENCE POSSIBLE
Rolex is a leading supporter of tennis, with a commitment extending across the men’s and women’s game to high-quality events and exciting talent. Rolex and the All England Club work together to perpetuate one of sport’s greatest traditions. Each year, new champions emerge and sporting history is made as the game soars to new heights of excellence. According to Federer: “Rolex has always been like a family. It’s really motivating for me when I step on the court, knowing that Rolex is behind me every step of the way.”

ABOUT ROLEX
Rolex, the Swiss watch brand headquartered in Geneva, enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. Founded by Hans Wilsdorf in 1905, the brand pioneered the development of the wristwatch and is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism invented in 1931. Rolex has registered more than 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces all the essential components of its watches in-house, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, sports, exploration, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities as well as philanthropic programmes. ADVT