From tennis legends to brand new stars, here’s what a weekend at the Australian Open looks like with Rolex
Being in Melbourne for the Australian Open with Rolex is one of those reminders of how big tennis still is on a global stage. Rolex has backed the sport for decades, so being there with the brand, around players and commentators who’ve lived the tour life, gave a good sense of what actually sits behind the two weeks we all watch each January. Staying at Crown and spending time with people like Caroline Wozniacki and Jim Courier, the conversation kept circling back to how success at that level is less about flash moments and more about consistency, work ethic, and handling pressure week after week. Courier told me about how the guys who stay at the top aren’t just the most talented—they’re the ones willing to keep doing the hard work when no one’s watching, and mentally backing themselves when the pressure gets loud.
That all sounded easy until we got on Margaret Court Arena ourselves one morning, which quickly put into perspective how hard the modern game really is. A lot of the talk around the week was how much tennis has changed (bigger hitting, faster rallies, different technology), but Courier made the point that the fundamentals still win matches. Players still have to problem solve, manage expectations, and put themselves through the repetition of training that most people never see. He also touched on how tough the travel and constant movement of tour life can be, especially for players from this part of the world, and how managing that grind is just as important as anything that happens on court. That idea of long-term excellence is something Rolex naturally leans into, and it makes sense, given how many careers are built slowly over years rather than overnight.
Then, to finish the tournament with Rolex Testimonee Carlos Alcaraz winning the men’s title—becoming the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam—was like watching a new era properly land. There’s always speculation about who dominates next, but being there, you realise tennis doesn’t really slow down: new champions arrive, and the legacy keeps moving. And having Rolex embedded in those moments shows why its partnership with the sport still feels so relevant.
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