How to become a champion at the US Open

The world's leading tennis players will gather at Flushing Meadows to compete in the final Grand Slam^® tournament of the season. This year’s US Open promises to deliver enthralling matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium. 

Photo credit: ©Rolex

Rolex became Official Timekeeper of the US Open in 2018, recognizing the human endeavour and passion for tennis that the tournament has showcased over decades. A number of the Swiss watchmaker’s Testimonees recently commented on their experiences at the US Open.

Last year's champion, Coco Gauff, will return to New York to defend her maiden Grand Slam^® singles title, aiming to replicate the composure, skill, and fortitude that enabled her to lift the trophy last year.

Photo credit: ©Rolex

Gauff explains, “I always look forward to playing at the US Open and I think the experience of playing on Arthur Ashe helped me win last year. I’m used to all the sounds, and the crowd’s energy is definitely important for me – it pushes me through some of the toughest matches. I’ve been with Rolex since I was 15 and for them to have believed in me from such a young age is incredible. This year, returning as the defending champion in New York, will be a first for me, so let’s see what happens. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

The US Open is the only Grand Slam^® tournament to have been played every year since its inception in 1881 and across three different surfaces. It began on grass (1881–1974), moved to clay (1975–1977) before becoming a hard-court event (1978 to the present day). During this time, the US Open has been the stage for several members of the Rolex family including Florida's own Chris Evert.

Photo credit: ©Rolex

Defending a title at the US Open brings its own unique challenges, according to Evert, “Winning the US Open on my home ground was always special but just because you won it the year before doesn’t mean you’re favorite to do so again. Once I won a match, I forgot about it, moved on and focused on getting through to the second week. That was always my mindset going in, whether I was defending champion or not. With Coco’s fans supporting her this year it will create an amazing dynamic.”

Evert lifted the women’s singles trophy at the US Open on six occasions, holding the title for four consecutive years, from 1975 to 1978, while Federer remains the only male player in the Open Era to have triumphed five times in a row, between 2004 and 2008.

Photo credit: ©Rolex

To that end, Federer explains, “The US Open is different because New Yorkers come to the event, they sit down and they expect a great performance. It creates immense pressure in the biggest stadium in tennis, especially under the lights, which is when you usually play your biggest matches. The US Open was always a dream tournament for me – to stay in the city, go out to Flushing Meadows and to play tennis.”

This year, several of the Swiss watchmaker’s Testimonees will play at the US Open including this summer's Olympic gold medal winner Qinwen Zheng. 

Photo credit: ©Rolex

Reflecting on her relationship with Rolex, Qinwen says, "Rolex is prominent on the tennis circuit and at many of the tournaments that I compete in, so it is very meaningful for me. Rolex has a great eye for spotting young players with excellent potential and then nurturing talent – they saw something in me before my results fully showed it.”

===

Source: Rolex. Top photo: ©Rolex