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Home , Karen Khachanov, Paris Masters, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Taylor Fritz

NOTE TO MEDIA

ROLEX MASTERS GATHERS WORLD’S ELITE MEN FOR FINAL ATP MASTERS 1000 EVENT

Geneva, Switzerland, 28 October 2019 – From 28 October – 3 November, the world’s elite men’s players will contest the Rolex , the final ATP Masters 1000 event of the 2019 season. Rolex’s partnership with the event was forged in 2007 when the brand became the tournament’s Official Timekeeper. Ten years later, in 2017, Rolex extended its support, becoming the event’s Title Sponsor.

Since 1986 the tournament has been staged at the AccorHotels Arena on the River Seine in the French capital, a venue renowned for its unique indoor design, fast-paced hard courts and electric atmosphere.

Apart from the honour of winning this elite-level event, the Rolex Paris Masters provides a final opportunity to qualify for the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals (10–17 November), at which Rolex is also the Official Timekeeper.

For more than 40 years, Rolex has nurtured a close relationship with tennis. This began in 1978 when the brand became the Official Timekeeper ofIThe Championships, Wimbledon, the oldest and most revered tennis tournament in the world. Since then Rolex has broadened its support globally, becoming the Official Timekeeper of all four ® tournaments and many other prestigious events, while also partnering with some of the greatest players and the major organizations which administer the game worldwide.

THE REIGNING CHAMPION OF PARIS Returning to Paris is Rolex Testimonee , who captured his maiden ATP Tour Masters 1000 title when he triumphed here in 2018. The 23 year-old Russian, one of tennis’ most exciting young talents, has enjoyed the best season of his career in 2019. He beat his childhood idol and fellow Testimonee Juan Martín del Potro en route to reaching his first Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland-Garros and subsequently entered the world’s top 10 rankings for the first time.

Khachanov said: “Returning to any tournament as the reigning champion can be difficult, but I can’t wait to go back to Paris. The expectations may be higher, but my game is one that thrives under pressure, so I welcome it. Only the best players on the Tour get the chance to play in Paris and testing myself against the world’s elite is both a thrilling and humbling experience.”

Joining Khachanov are two of the sport’s rising stars, of and Austria’s . Both players are currently ranked inside the world’s top 10: Thiem at No. 5, Tsitsipas at No. 7. The pair enjoyed success together at the in September, helping Team Europe win a third successive title.

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Thiem is quickly becoming one of the most consistent players on the ATP Tour, his back-to-back (2018 and 2019) appearances in the Roland-Garros final a testament to his skill and tenacity, while Tsitsipas has become the highest-ranked Greek player in history just three years after turning professional. France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will also be contesting this prestigious event, competing on home ground, Tsonga will undoubtedly have strong support from the crowd.

ROLEX TESTIMONEEs Other Testimonees competing in Paris include the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals winner, Bulgarian , and three players with the chance to win their first ATP Masters 1000 event, Canadian , Great Britain’s , and 21-year-old from the United States.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

ROLEX TESTIMONEE ROLEX paris MASTERS WINNERS (1990) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2008) (2011) Karen Khachanov (2018)

ROLEX TESTIMONEES CONTESTING THE 2019 ROLEX paris MASTERS Grigor Dimitrov Milos Raonic Kyle Edmund Dominic Thiem Taylor Fritz Stefanos Tsitsipas Karen Khachanov Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

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ABOUT ROLEX An unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise

Rolex, a Swiss watch manufacture headquartered in Geneva, is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products. Its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches, all certified as Superlative Chronometers for their precision, performance and reliability, are symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The word “Perpetual” is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values. Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of the company, instilled a notion of perpetual excellence that would drive the company forward. This led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and 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 over 500 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in- house the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, Rolex is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE www.rolex.com

ROLEX TENNIS PRESS ROOM https://pressroom.rolex.com/en/sports- and-culture/partnership-activities/rolex-and- tennis-news.html

MEDIA CONTACTS Rolex SA Virginie Chevailler [email protected] +41 22 302 26 19 rEvolution Merrick Haydon [email protected] +44 7748 186 833

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