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ROLEX TESTIMONEE STÉFANOS TSITSIPÁS RETURNS TO FOR NITTO ATP FINALS AS REIGNING CHAMPION

Geneva, , 11 November 2020 – From 15–22 November, the world’s leading singles players and doubles pairings, based on the ATP Rankings, will contest the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals in London. Rolex has been the Official Timekeeper of the tournament since 2009 and took on the same role for the ATP Tour four years later.

For more than 40 years Rolex has played a pivotal role in , the relationship dating back to 1978 when the brand became the Official Timekeeper of the sport’s oldest and most revered tournament, The Championships, Wimbledon. Since then, Rolex has extended this support to every level of the sport. It is the Official Timekeeper for all four ® tournaments and partners the organizations that administer the sport around the world, along with some of the greatest players to have graced the court. Its family of Testimonees includes legends of the game – Björn Borg and Chris Evert among them – as well as today’s champions, such as 2019 ATP Finals winner Stéfanos Tsitsipás, and Garbiñe Muguruza.

Staged at on the River Thames since 2009, the event has gained a reputation for hard-fought battles featuring the world’s best players, all vying to be crowned the season’s champion. This year marks the end of the tournament’s 12- year tenure in London before it moves to the Italian city of Turin.

Rolex Testimonee has been a dominant presence at this event, winning an unprecedented six titles since 2003 and reaching the final on four other occasions. The Swiss icon will be missed at this year’s edition as he continues his recovery from injury but his absence opens the door for a younger generation of Testimonees to make their mark.

A CHAMPION’S RETURN One Testimonee returning to London with a champion’s mindset is Tsitsipás. The Greek enjoyed an exceptional introduction to the tournament last year, dropping just two sets on his way to the semi-final where he faced childhood hero Federer. The then 21-year-old remained undaunted, despite the Swiss maestro’s pedigree at the event, and defeated his idol in straight sets to book a place in the final against fellow Testimonee, Thiem.

There was little to separate the two after three gruelling sets, and such was the quality of play from both men that a final set tie-break was required for Tsitsipás to eventually clinch the trophy, the first time the tournament had been decided this way since 2005.

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Returning a year later, Tsitsipás has good reason to believe he can successfully defend his title. He has enjoyed a strong Grand Slam season, reaching the semi-finals at Roland-Garros last month and the third round of the US Open, his best result to date at Flushing Meadows.

Thiem, the current World No. 3, cemented his status as one of the finest talents in the game with a five-set victory in the US Open final in September and the Austrian has the metal toughness and big-game ability to triumph in the season finale.

Firmly entrenched among the global tennis elite, Tsitsipás and Thiem personify the relentless pursuit of perpetual excellence. Their precision and consistently high performance allows them to constantly push back the boundaries of what was thought possible and scale new heights.

END

noteS to editors

ROLEX TESTIMONEES WHO HAVE WON THE NITTO ATP FINALS Björn Borg (1979, 1980)* (1989)* Roger Federer (2004**, 2003**, 2006**, 2007**, 2010***, 2011***) (2017) Stéfanos Tsitsipás (2019) *Then known as the Grand Prix Masters **Then known as the Tennis Masters Cup *** Then known as the ATP World Tour Finals

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ABOUT ROLEX An unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise

Rolex, a Swiss manufacture headquartered in , is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products. Its Oyster Perpetual and Cellini , 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 inhouse the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the 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 Virginie Chevailler Rolex SA [email protected] +41 (0)22 302 26 19

Merrick Haydon rEvolution [email protected] +44 (0)7748 186 833

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