The Journey to Sporting Greatness Awaits at The Championships, Wimbledon 2025

The Journey to Sporting Greatness Awaits at The Championships, Wimbledon 2025

Geneva, 24 June 2025 – Next week, the eyes of the tennis world turn to the grass courts of London’s SW19 for The Championships, Wimbledon – one of the crown jewels in the British sporting calendar. From Monday 30 June to Sunday 13 July, the leading players and aspiring talents will walk through the famous black gates of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club aiming to etch their names on the winners’ trophies. The pursuit of excellence has united Rolex and Wimbledon for almost half a century; the Swiss watchmaker first partnered this prestigious event in 1978, marking the start of its extensive support for the game.

As is tradition, on the opening Monday at 1.30 p.m. local time, the reigning gentlemen’s singles champion Carlos Alcaraz will be the first player to embark on one of the great journeys in tennis, when he walks from the dressing room to start play on Centre Court. Fresh from his historic Roland-Garros victory earlier this month, the 22-year-old is seeking a third consecutive Wimbledon title, an achievement that would take him further along the path to emulating fellow Rolex Testimonees Björn Borg and Roger Federer, both of whom won five in succession. Alcaraz, a five-time Grand Slam® champion, says:

“When you walk through the gates at Wimbledon, it’s like stepping back in time. It feels like you’re following in the footsteps of legends. The excellence and elegance that the tournament brings to tennis is what makes Wimbledon unique and a perfect match for Rolex. For me, this is the most beautiful tournament, the most beautiful court and most beautiful trophy.”

Few players have felt more at home on Centre Court’s hallowed turf as Borg. The Swede claimed 11 Grand Slam® singles titles, lifting the Wimbledon trophy each year from 1976 to 1980. Borg reflects:

“Walking back to the dressing room with the trophy in your hands is such a special experience, but to be honest, every time I won the Wimbledon title, I never wanted to leave Centre Court. I was full with happiness. The crowd was cheering me on, and I had accomplished a lifelong goal – it was one of the best feelings ever.”

Looking ahead to the 2025 edition, Borg says:

“Carlos has done amazingly to win successive Wimbledon titles. Despite growing up playing on clay courts, he has adapted very well to the grass, and it is clear he feels very comfortable on Centre Court. If he produces the great tennis we all know he is capable of, he will have an excellent opportunity to win three in a row at the All England Club.”

The prodigious Spanish talent is not the only one with his sights set on Wimbledon glory; other members of the Rolex family vying for the top prize include João Fonseca, Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner, Ben Shelton and Stéfanos Tsitsipás. In the ladies’ draw, the new Roland-Garros champion Coco Gauff will join fellow Testimonees Mirra Andreeva, Belinda Bencic, Iga ?wi?tek and Qinwen Zheng in striving to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish for the first time. Making her return to the tournament after the birth of her daughter last year, Bencic says:

“Tennis was born at Wimbledon and the tournament holds a special place in my heart, especially having won the junior title [in 2013]. I still believe that I can achieve a very good result here and complete my dream.”

Since 1877 Wimbledon has been the benchmark of tradition and sporting etiquette. Its revered courts provide a stern test for even the game’s greatest talents, rewarding precision and boldness, power and craft in equal measure. For almost 50 years, Rolex’s clocks have kept time on the tournament’s greatest rivalries and its defining moments. They have been a constant presence as the game evolves, and as each generation continues to push the boundaries of performance.