Ok, the headline might be mixing sports (you hit a grand slam in baseball), but in tennis the four biggest tournaments – the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open – are collectively known as the Grand Slam of Tennis. Back in the summer, Revolution did a story after Rolex became the Official Timekeeper and Official Timepiece of the US Open, America’ most prestigious tournament.
At the time, I called up Rolex to ask them when they would be taking over the French Open. They were coy about it, but now it’s official: Rolex is the Premium Partner and Official Timekeeper of Roland-Garros beginning in 2019, and the Crown is also partnering with the French Tennis Federation (FTT).
“We are delighted to welcome Rolex, an iconic luxury brand, as a partner of the FFT and of Roland-Garros,” says Bernard Giudicelli, President of the French Tennis Federation. “Our association with this prestigious company, which is already a partner of the Rolex Paris Masters, will take on a whole new dimension in 2019 by putting down roots in the heart of our illustrious competition in the Porte d’Auteuil. This long-term agreement will not only help develop the Roland-Garros brand worldwide, but will also benefit French tennis. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jean-Frédéric Dufour, Rolex Chief Executive Officer, and Arnaud Boetsch, Rolex Communication & Image Director, for their confidence.”
Rolex, long a partner with some of the most prestigious events in tennis, as well as working with some of the greatest players, including Roger Federer, Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver and more, solidifies its position in tennis by securing all four of the Grand Slam tournaments.
“By becoming the Official Timekeeper of Roland-Garros, the tennis season’s major clay tournament, Rolex has definitively strengthened its ties with international tennis,” explains Arnaud Boetsch, Communication & Image Director, Rolex SA. “It is an honor and a pleasure for the brand to join forces with this prestigious Grand Slam tournament which, every year, writes another page in the history of tennis. This new association provides us with an additional opportunity to promote the discipline and support it with as much commitment and enthusiasm as we have over the last forty years. As usual, Rolex has committed over the long term and we are delighted to further develop our collaboration with Roland-Garros and our shared vision.”
