Rolex’s immersion in the world of elite sports runs deep. The revered Swiss luxury watch brand has long been a dedicated supporter of a range of prestigious events and famous competitors, in sports including equestrianism, golf, motorsport, yachting – and, naturally, the most glamorous of all: tennis.

Its commitment to the sport includes a coveted role since 2019 as the premium partner and official timekeeper of the French Open, aka Roland-Garros, one of the four grand slams that represent the pinnacle of professional tennis. While the tournament prepared for its latest edition, the 125th, currently taking place from May 18 to June 7, it built on the legacy of the 2025 event that will live long in our memory.

In the men’s singles final – the longest ever at nearly five and a half hours – Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz fought back against monumental odds, coming from two sets down to defeat No 1 seed Jannik Sinner of Italy. There was a similarly heroic performance in the women’s singles final, where Coco Gauff of the US also came from behind to overcome the then and current world No 1, Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka, becoming the first American to win in a decade and burying the memory of her defeat in the 2022 final.

Gauff defends her crown at Roland-Garros 2026 as one of several Rolex Testimonees in the field – brand representatives who exemplify commitment to the highest levels of performance. It isn’t easy for her as Sabalenka is also there again as the top seed in the women’s competition. Both Sinner and Alcaraz are also Rolex Testimonees, though this year only Sinner is playing in Paris with the Spaniard out due to an injury.

“I think this tournament requires you to be the most tenacious out of all the grand slams,” Gauff said. “As soon as I walked out on court that day, I felt the clay hit my face with the wind and I knew it was going to be a battle.”

Gauff is drawing on the legacy of another Rolex Testimonee whose journey provides a vivid demonstration of the power of tenacity – Venezuela-born Spanish player Garbiñe Muguruza.

Like Gauff, Muguruza’s first tilt at grand slam glory didn’t go according to plan: she lost in the 2015 Wimbledon final to Serena Williams. She got her revenge a year later at Roland-Garros, however – the same year she became a Rolex Testimonee – defeating Williams in straight sets.