PRESS RELEASE
ROLEX CELEBRATES A DECADE OF PARTNERSHIP AS OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER AND TITLE SPONSOR OF THE ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS
Geneva, Switzerland, 4 October 2019 – From 5–13 October, the world’s elite men’s tennis players will gather in China to contest the Rolex Shanghai Masters, the penultimate ATP Masters 1000 event of the year.
The Rolex Shanghai Masters is one of the most visually stunning tournaments in the world thanks to its unique venue of Qizhong Stadium, the design of which is inspired by a blooming magnolia, the city’s official flower.
This year’s edition is of particular significance, not only because it marks 11 years since the tournament was founded, but also a decade with Rolex as the tournament’s Official Timekeeper and title sponsor.
The brand began its long-standing association with tennis more than 40 years ago when it became the Official Timekeeper of The Championships, Wimbledon in 1978. Since then, the relationship has grown into one with a global reach, encompassing partnerships at every level of the sport, including all four Grand Slam® tournaments, many other prestigious events and the major organizations that administer the game worldwide.
In China, Rolex has developed particularly strong bonds with tennis. Since 2005, the brand has been the Official Timekeeper of the China Open in Beijing, and it will hold the same role later this month at the inaugural Shiseido WTA Finals in Shenzhen.
In 2011 Rolex welcomed to its family of Testimonees the celebrated Chinese player Li Na, who made history as the first tennis player from an Asian nation to win a Grand Slam singles title with her victory at Roland-Garros that year.
Speaking about Rolex’s involvement in tennis in China, Na said: “Rolex is well known throughout the world as one of tennis’ greatest supporters, but this is especially true in China. Rolex has supported me for the last eight years but for nearly 15 years it has invested in the game here and as a result the sport has truly flourished. Through its relationship with the Rolex Shanghai Masters it has provided Chinese tennis fans with some incredible moments over the last decade and for that I will always be grateful.”
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RETURNING CHAMPION Returning to Shanghai in 2019 for the eighth time in his career is tennis legend and Rolex Testimonee Roger Federer. One of the greatest players of all time, the winner of a record 20 Grand Slam men’s singles titles is a two-time winner at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, in 2014 and 2017.
The Swiss maestro is adept on all surfaces, especially hardcourts, as highlighted by his combined 11 Australian Open and US Open singles titles. His game is perfectly suited to the multicoloured courts of Qizhong Stadium, which reward players with all-round abilities who can use their power, precision and consistency to construct winners. These are qualities that Federer has used to great effect over the course of a distinguished career spanning more than two decades and which perfectly echo Rolex’s quest for perpetual excellence in watchmaking.
Other Rolex Testimonees in Shanghai will be Austrian Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece. Both players are seeking a maiden title in the prestigious tournament. Thiem is one of the sport’s most exciting young players and the 2019 Roland-Garros finalist will be hoping to exploit his booming backhand in the quest for a fifteenth career singles title, while Tsitsipas, who reached the semi-final of the Australian Open earlier this year brings an impressive array of shots to every match. Joining them will be fellow Testimonees Kyle Edmund, Taylor Fritz, Karen Khachanov and Lucas Pouille.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
ROLEX TESTIMONEE ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS WINNERS Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2009 doubles) Roger Federer (2014, 2017 singles)
ROLEX TESTIMONEES CONTESTING THE 2019 ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS Kyle Edmund Lucas Pouille Roger Federer Dominic Thiem Taylor Fritz Stefanos Tsitsipas Karen Khachanov
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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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