Paris, the delicious climate, mild during the day and cool at night with a few drops of rain. The privilege of attending this iconic tournament and living it in luxury has been for me one of the best experiences of my life, because as a tennis player I was, I never thought I would see myself right there in the Rolex box on the main court Philippe Chatrier, yes at the Roland-Garros stadium.
Watching tennis live is a delight full of emotion. It is not only concentrating on the ball that goes and comes from one side to the other, but on the positioning, on the power and the hit, on the movements of each player, feeling the pulse of the public in the stadium.
The invitation of the day began with the match of the Japanese Moyuka Uchijima vs. Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian seeded second in the world. In two sets Sabalenka easily advanced to the next round, demonstrating that power and concentration were what was necessary to not wear out.
Elina Svitolina of Ukraine ranked 15th vs. the Frenchwoman Diana Parry was an emotional match especially because the Frenchwoman was playing at home. Although the victory went to the Ukrainian, the cheers, the oles and the support of the public did not wait long.
Watch Novac Djokovic play vs. the Spanish Roberto Carballes Baena impressed me. A match that started evenly, the Spaniard, despite being 62 places below the Serbian, came out to give everything and fought for every point until Djokovic’s experience and strength prevailed in a score that allowed him to advance to the next round.
The next day the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz against the American Sebastian Korda showed that the explosion of both being in their early twenties He focused on forceful blows, absurd errors, and spectacular points before an audience excited by a match that lasted more than two hours. The emotion and protocol experienced on each set is unique and worth never forgetting. Serves that reach 200 km per hour, forceful blows that define a point or a set or the match, the determination to play and try to reach all the balls slipping on the clay, Rolex has taken it upon itself to measure every second in this relationship. of 4 decades with the so-called white sport that began with Wimbledon. Tradition, style and elegance have led the watchmaker to recognize legends and talents that have achieved glory, just like the crown, the logo of the Swiss watchmaker.
Since 2012, the American Chris Evert has been a testimony for Rolex and now for Roland-Garros 2024, this legend won 7 of the 18 Grand Slam titles in which she participated not only in singles, she also won doubles on a couple of occasions in 1974 and 1975 She has declared that Roland-Garros has been like her second home. When she first won the Grand Slam, she had a 55-match winning streak and finished the season in 1974 with 100 wins, a record she still holds. Her Rolex has accompanied her throughout her life and career: matches, family and her present. Her mettle and ability to dominate all surfaces (grass, clay and cement) led her to be number 1 for 260 weeks and have a 90% winning percentage in her sporting career.
Sweden has seen the birth of one of the best tennis players in the world, one of my favorites always, who not only maintained an extraordinary level of play, but also an unparalleled education on the court. Björn Borg won six singles titles at Roland-Garros, four of them consecutive from 1978 to 1981. He won all six finals that he played in Paris. At the age of 16 he was already playing professionally and won the French tournament when he was only 18 years old. This prodigy retired at the age of 26 having won 64 tournaments including 11 Grand Slam titles. This tennis legend has shared testimony with Rolex since 2013 and recommends not losing sight of the Italian Jannik Sinner, who will perhaps be fighting for victory at Roland-Garros this year.
“I feel like my life is divided into thirds. The first was about tennis and my career, becoming number one. The second was about my family, raising my three children and the third was about finding peace within myself. When I look at my Rolex, I don’t see 18 Grand Slams, I see a reflection on the different stages of my life. It’s an extension of me,” Chris Evert.
“Roland-Garros 1974 was my first victory in the Grand Slam, it was something very special because I was not one of the favorites to win. To think that this happened 50 years ago makes me feel very proud and happy. Paris and Roland-Garros will always have a special place in my heart. “When Rolex partnered with the tournament in 2019, it felt like the right path for both the history of tennis and the values they both share,” Borg.
And it is just that: a relationship where luxury, elegance, values and stories are shared, holding hands to mark the time in the game of your life.
