On 30 June 2025, the gates of Wimbledon opened once again, and for the next two weeks, the oldest tennis Grand Slam will once more transform into a theatre of dreams where history is relived and made. Since Wimbledon’s inception in 1877, the tournament’s storied history has been perpetuated through time and achievement, with Rolex becoming Official Timekeeper a century on in 1978. The stark white court lines that match the players’ all-white outfits have been painted with surgical precision, the grass lawns clipped to a ritualistic 8 millimetres, and all that is left are for the dreamers and history makers to set foot on the tennis’ most mythical stage: Centre Court at Wimbledon.
©Rolex/Antoine Couvercelle THE ENTRANCE TO THE ALL ENGLAND LAWN TENNIS AND CROQUET CLUB, HOME TO THE CHAMPIONSHIPS, WIMBLEDON
“I think the relationship between Rolex and Wimbledon is very important on both sides. Wimbledon is such a traditional tournament and so having a brand involved such as Rolex with such great heritage makes perfect sense. It’s not only the case for Wimbledon but all four Grand Slams and tennis overall. To see Rolex’s presence at these events and be a part of the story with them, means a lot to me personally,” shares Rolex Testimonee Björn Borg.
©Rolex/ Thomas Laisné ROLEX TESTIMONEE BJÖRN BORG
Before that, all players walk through the corridors of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (AELTC) where the silence is broken by shuffling footsteps of tennis shoes, the thrum of hearts beating faster, and the echoes of the years gone by. A collective echo of jubilation and anguish, the very essence of sport in the face of victory and defeat, dating back to more than a hundred years, hums in the hallways before the players walk into the English sunlight and deafening crescendo of cheering. The players, seeded or unseeded, rookies or veterans, history makers and rewriters alike, make the walk past the Royal Box and former champions’ portraits, down the stairs within glancing distance of the trophies, the famous Winners’ Board, and the memories they hope to add to their careers.
©Rolex/Antoine Couvercelle ROLEX TESTIMONEE AND FOUR-TIME GRAND SLAM® CHAMPION CARLOS ALCARAZ WALKS FROM THE GENTLEMEN’S DRESSING ROOM TO CENTRE COURT
“From the very first time I walked out on court at the All England Club as a junior, I had a feeling that Wimbledon was special. I always believed that I was meant to like grass because of my style of play but I never thought I would achieve the results that I did. Rolex is a very important part of tennis globally, however, I believe that the clock on the court at Wimbledon has an even bigger impact than anywhere else,” shares Rolex Testimonee Roger Federer.
©Rolex/Anoush Abrar ROLEX TESTIMONEE ROGER FEDERER
Among those walking the path again is five-time Grand Slam champion and defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, fresh from his triumph at Roland Garros. At just 22, the Rolex Testimonee already plays like a name destined for legend, and yet when he speaks of Wimbledon, his awe is boyish, almost reverent. “Wimbledon is just special. When you walk through the gates, it’s like stepping back in time. It feels like you’re following in the footsteps of legends. The players all wear white on court and the All England Club is so beautiful, it’s just such an amazing environment to play in. The excellence and elegance that the tournament brings to tennis is what makes Wimbledon unique and a perfect match for Rolex,” shares Alcaraz.
Making the transition from clay to grass might take a few adjustments, but the questions that address footwork, finesse, and focus on the green surface are already considered by Alcaraz. “My preparation for Wimbledon is a bit different from the other Grand Slams because we are not used to playing on grass courts during the rest of the season, so we have to adapt quickly and use different skills. I have a specific fitness routine coming into grass court season, because I think moving well on this surface is the most important thing. You have to be well prepared and be able to move around the court with confidence if you want to achieve good results.”
©Rolex/Jed Jacobsohn THE DEFENDING WIMBLEDON CHAMPION AND ROLEX TESTIMONEE CARLOS ALCARAZ WALKS ONTO CENTRE COURT TO START PLAY IN 2024
Alcaraz will be seeking to write his name into the history books as only the fifth man in the Open Era to win three successive Wimbledon gentlemen’s singles titles. Amongst the current four are none other than Rolex Testimonees Björn Borg and Roger Federer.
“I’m really grateful to have the team I have and the people I have around me. I know everyone in my team is giving their heart just to make me improve as a player and as a person, to grow up. It’s been a great journey. The Rolex Daytona I was wearing when I lifted the Wimbledon trophy the last two years holds the most sentimental value. It holds many memories from my tennis career and it’s also a symbol of my relationship with Rolex, which makes it even more special,” shares Alcaraz.
While only time will tell who emerges triumphant, come 13 July 2025; Centre Court will once again bear witness to raw emotion and refined performance. Wimbledon is not just tennis. It is destiny — ritualised in ritual, measured in heartbeats, and always on time. The ghosts of past champions will linger in the rafters, and for those brave enough to dream, the grass will yield glory.
Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our June/July 2025 issue.