Roger Federer personifies crucial Wimbledon 'connection'
Roger Federer is still seen as the "face" of the Rolex and Wimbledon "connection".
The watch brand became the official timekeeper of the prestigious tennis tournament in 1978 and the eight-time champion Swiss sportsman is viewed as personifying the ethos of the partnership.
Spencer Dryer, founder of BQ Watches, said: 'It's not just about keeping time. It's about owning it - marking history in seconds, minutes, hours - while standing for something larger. And at Wimbledon, where tradition is not merely preserved but celebrated, Rolex fits in as naturally as ivy on the outer walls of Centre Court.
'If there's a face of the Rolex-Wimbledon connection, it's Roger Federer.
The Swiss legend and Rolex Testimonee has won Wimbledon eight times, gracing the grass courts with the same level of grace and restraint that defines a Datejust or a Day-Date. Even now, in retirement, Federer remains an icon of both tennis and watchmaking -timeless in every sense of the word. "
But with Roger, 43, having retired in 2022, Spencer believes there has been a "changing of the guard" with another Rolex ambassador, Carlos Alcarez, stepping into his place.
He added: "2025 is also about the next generation. Carlos Alcaraz, another Rolex ambassador, captured headlines - and hearts - with his electrifying wins in both the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon final. At just 20, he brought youthful flair and composure beyond his years.
Watching him lift the trophy, a Rolex Oyster Perpetual on his wrist, felt like a changing of the guard - in tennis, and in legacy.'
Spencer insisted the "right watch" is crucial to the tournament.
He said: 'The right watch at Wimbledon doesn't just tell time—it frames a moment.
'Whether it's the pause before a second serve or the roar of the crowd after match point, the best timepieces carry that same sense of composure, legacy, and quiet power.'
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Day storms into contention at rich PGA Tour event
Jason Day has roared into contention at the PGA Tour's lucrative Travelers Championship despite revealing he is not even firing on all cylinders. Australia's former world No.1 repeated his first-round 66 with another four-under-par score on Friday (Saturday AEST) to jump into outright fourth, just one stroke behind the halfway leaders. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler (62-69), fellow American and dual major winner Justin Thomas (67-64) and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (66-65) share the lead at nine under through 36 holes. Scheffler is chasing a fourth win from six starts, Thomas his second of the season while Fleetwood enhanced his hopes of maiden PGA Tour victory with two eagles and a birdie in a spectacular four-hole back-nine burst. Day defied extreme winds to conjure seven birdies at TPC River Highlands, including four on a flawless back nine, to be right in the mix for the $US3.6 million winner's cheque. "There was 40-mile gusts out there, so, you had to hit on the right wind," he said. "To be able to walk out at eight under - four under, four under - after two days, I'm very pleased with it." Day continues to enjoy an impressive season, despite freak neck and wrist injuries derailing the former PGA Championship winner's campaign over the past three months. After chalking up top 10s at The Masters, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The American Express, the 37-year-old had to sit out The Players Championship through illness then The Truist Championship after hurting his neck. Compounding his troubles, Day then suffered triangular fibrocartilage complex damage to a wrist while moving a bike. He couldn't play for almost a month between missing the cut for the first time at the PGA Championship and finishing a creditable joint-23rd at last week's gruelling US Open at Oakmont Country Club. Little wonder he is chuffed to be back on the leaderboard at the $US20 million event in Connecticut. "I feel pretty good," Day told the Golf Channel. "Obviously I had the disc protrusion in my neck, and that feels like it's been a year-long thing. "Unfortunately I haven't been able to hit it as hard as I'd like to. It's just like a little freak thing that happened, and unfortunately the wrist goes with that as well. "So I had a little TFCC strain and I feel good now, which is great. I'm still trying to manage it all. From here (the neck) down, I feel tremendous. "Everyone probably knows that I've battled some lower-back issues in the past, and I feel like I've had a pretty good handle on it. Then these two things have just come out of the blue and unfortunately just set me back. "I missed five out of six weeks, missed two signature events on top of that. Then I really didn't have a great prep going into the PGA, a limited prep going into the US Open, so it's nice to be in the mix coming into this weekend." Day looks the only Australian chance, with Min Woo Lee (73-69) back in a tie for 49th at two over. Cam Davis (71-73) and Adam Scott, on a come down from his US Open surge, are four over and equal 59th in the 72-player, no-cut field. Jason Day has roared into contention at the PGA Tour's lucrative Travelers Championship despite revealing he is not even firing on all cylinders. Australia's former world No.1 repeated his first-round 66 with another four-under-par score on Friday (Saturday AEST) to jump into outright fourth, just one stroke behind the halfway leaders. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler (62-69), fellow American and dual major winner Justin Thomas (67-64) and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (66-65) share the lead at nine under through 36 holes. Scheffler is chasing a fourth win from six starts, Thomas his second of the season while Fleetwood enhanced his hopes of maiden PGA Tour victory with two eagles and a birdie in a spectacular four-hole back-nine burst. Day defied extreme winds to conjure seven birdies at TPC River Highlands, including four on a flawless back nine, to be right in the mix for the $US3.6 million winner's cheque. "There was 40-mile gusts out there, so, you had to hit on the right wind," he said. "To be able to walk out at eight under - four under, four under - after two days, I'm very pleased with it." Day continues to enjoy an impressive season, despite freak neck and wrist injuries derailing the former PGA Championship winner's campaign over the past three months. After chalking up top 10s at The Masters, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The American Express, the 37-year-old had to sit out The Players Championship through illness then The Truist Championship after hurting his neck. Compounding his troubles, Day then suffered triangular fibrocartilage complex damage to a wrist while moving a bike. He couldn't play for almost a month between missing the cut for the first time at the PGA Championship and finishing a creditable joint-23rd at last week's gruelling US Open at Oakmont Country Club. Little wonder he is chuffed to be back on the leaderboard at the $US20 million event in Connecticut. "I feel pretty good," Day told the Golf Channel. "Obviously I had the disc protrusion in my neck, and that feels like it's been a year-long thing. "Unfortunately I haven't been able to hit it as hard as I'd like to. It's just like a little freak thing that happened, and unfortunately the wrist goes with that as well. "So I had a little TFCC strain and I feel good now, which is great. I'm still trying to manage it all. From here (the neck) down, I feel tremendous. "Everyone probably knows that I've battled some lower-back issues in the past, and I feel like I've had a pretty good handle on it. Then these two things have just come out of the blue and unfortunately just set me back. 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Scheffler is chasing a fourth win from six starts, Thomas his second of the season while Fleetwood enhanced his hopes of maiden PGA Tour victory with two eagles and a birdie in a spectacular four-hole back-nine burst. Day defied extreme winds to conjure seven birdies at TPC River Highlands, including four on a flawless back nine, to be right in the mix for the $US3.6 million winner's cheque. "There was 40-mile gusts out there, so, you had to hit on the right wind," he said. "To be able to walk out at eight under - four under, four under - after two days, I'm very pleased with it." Day continues to enjoy an impressive season, despite freak neck and wrist injuries derailing the former PGA Championship winner's campaign over the past three months. After chalking up top 10s at The Masters, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The American Express, the 37-year-old had to sit out The Players Championship through illness then The Truist Championship after hurting his neck. Compounding his troubles, Day then suffered triangular fibrocartilage complex damage to a wrist while moving a bike. He couldn't play for almost a month between missing the cut for the first time at the PGA Championship and finishing a creditable joint-23rd at last week's gruelling US Open at Oakmont Country Club. Little wonder he is chuffed to be back on the leaderboard at the $US20 million event in Connecticut. "I feel pretty good," Day told the Golf Channel. "Obviously I had the disc protrusion in my neck, and that feels like it's been a year-long thing. "Unfortunately I haven't been able to hit it as hard as I'd like to. It's just like a little freak thing that happened, and unfortunately the wrist goes with that as well. "So I had a little TFCC strain and I feel good now, which is great. I'm still trying to manage it all. From here (the neck) down, I feel tremendous. "Everyone probably knows that I've battled some lower-back issues in the past, and I feel like I've had a pretty good handle on it. Then these two things have just come out of the blue and unfortunately just set me back. "I missed five out of six weeks, missed two signature events on top of that. Then I really didn't have a great prep going into the PGA, a limited prep going into the US Open, so it's nice to be in the mix coming into this weekend." Day looks the only Australian chance, with Min Woo Lee (73-69) back in a tie for 49th at two over. Cam Davis (71-73) and Adam Scott, on a come down from his US Open surge, are four over and equal 59th in the 72-player, no-cut field. Jason Day has roared into contention at the PGA Tour's lucrative Travelers Championship despite revealing he is not even firing on all cylinders. Australia's former world No.1 repeated his first-round 66 with another four-under-par score on Friday (Saturday AEST) to jump into outright fourth, just one stroke behind the halfway leaders. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler (62-69), fellow American and dual major winner Justin Thomas (67-64) and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (66-65) share the lead at nine under through 36 holes. Scheffler is chasing a fourth win from six starts, Thomas his second of the season while Fleetwood enhanced his hopes of maiden PGA Tour victory with two eagles and a birdie in a spectacular four-hole back-nine burst. Day defied extreme winds to conjure seven birdies at TPC River Highlands, including four on a flawless back nine, to be right in the mix for the $US3.6 million winner's cheque. "There was 40-mile gusts out there, so, you had to hit on the right wind," he said. "To be able to walk out at eight under - four under, four under - after two days, I'm very pleased with it." Day continues to enjoy an impressive season, despite freak neck and wrist injuries derailing the former PGA Championship winner's campaign over the past three months. After chalking up top 10s at The Masters, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The American Express, the 37-year-old had to sit out The Players Championship through illness then The Truist Championship after hurting his neck. Compounding his troubles, Day then suffered triangular fibrocartilage complex damage to a wrist while moving a bike. He couldn't play for almost a month between missing the cut for the first time at the PGA Championship and finishing a creditable joint-23rd at last week's gruelling US Open at Oakmont Country Club. Little wonder he is chuffed to be back on the leaderboard at the $US20 million event in Connecticut. "I feel pretty good," Day told the Golf Channel. "Obviously I had the disc protrusion in my neck, and that feels like it's been a year-long thing. "Unfortunately I haven't been able to hit it as hard as I'd like to. It's just like a little freak thing that happened, and unfortunately the wrist goes with that as well. "So I had a little TFCC strain and I feel good now, which is great. I'm still trying to manage it all. From here (the neck) down, I feel tremendous. "Everyone probably knows that I've battled some lower-back issues in the past, and I feel like I've had a pretty good handle on it. Then these two things have just come out of the blue and unfortunately just set me back. "I missed five out of six weeks, missed two signature events on top of that. Then I really didn't have a great prep going into the PGA, a limited prep going into the US Open, so it's nice to be in the mix coming into this weekend." Day looks the only Australian chance, with Min Woo Lee (73-69) back in a tie for 49th at two over. Cam Davis (71-73) and Adam Scott, on a come down from his US Open surge, are four over and equal 59th in the 72-player, no-cut field.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Day storms into contention at rich PGA Tour event
Jason Day has roared into contention at the PGA Tour's lucrative Travelers Championship despite revealing he is not even firing on all cylinders. Australia's former world No.1 repeated his first-round 66 with another four-under-par score on Friday (Saturday AEST) to jump into a tie for fourth, just one stroke behind the halfway leaders. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler (62-69), fellow American dual major winner Justin Thomas (67-64) and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (66-65) share the lead at nine under through 36 holes. Day defied gusting winds to roll in seven birdies at TPC River Highlands, including four on a flawless back nine, to be right in the mix for the $US3.6 million winner's cheque. "There was 40-mile gusts out there, so, you had to hit on the right wind," Day said. "To be able to walk out at eight under - four under, four under - after two days, I'm very pleased with it." Day continues to enjoy an impressive season, despite freak neck and wrist injuries derailing the former PGA Championship winner's campaign over the past three months. After chalking up top 10s at The Masters, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The American Express, the 37-year-old had to sit out The Players Championship through illness then The Truist Championship after hurting his neck. Compounding his troubles, Day then suffered triangular fibrocartilage complex damage to a wrist while moving a bike. He couldn't play for almost a month between missing the cut for the first time at the PGA Championship and finishing a creditable joint-23rd at last week's gruelling US Open at Oakmont Country Club. Little wonder he is chuffed to be back on the leaderboard at the $US20 million event in Connecticut. "I feel pretty good," Day told the Golf Channel. "Obviously I had the disc protrusion in my neck, and that feels like it's been a year-long thing. "Unfortunately I haven't been able to hit it as hard as I'd like to. It's just like a little freak thing that happened, and unfortunately the wrist goes with that as well. "So I had a little TFCC strain and I feel good now, which is great. I'm still trying to manage it all. From here (the neck) down, I feel tremendous. "Everyone probably knows that I've battled some lower-back issues in the past, and I feel like I've had a pretty good handle on it. Then these two things have just come out of the blue and unfortunately just set me back. "I missed five out of six weeks, missed two signature events on top of that. Then I really didn't have a great prep going into the PGA, a limited prep going into the US Open, so it's nice to be in the mix coming into this weekend."
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Terrific Sabalenka comeback in Berlin thwarts Rybakina
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has shown nerves of steel and a champion's resolve to defeat Elena Rybakina 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (8-6) in their Berlin Open quarter-final, saving four match points in the final-set tiebreak. Rybakina had led 6-2 in the deciding breaker on Friday and appeared on the brink of securing a place in the semis but after she was cruelly denied victory on her first match point by a net cord, the momentum swung in Sabalenka's favour. The Belarusian reeled off five straight points, eventually clinching the win as Rybakina faltered under pressure. Sabalenka's grit and power proved decisive against the 2022 Wimbledon champion. The first set was a see-saw battle, with Rybakina breaking for a 4-2 lead before Sabalenka hit straight back. Both players held serve from 4-4 to force a tiebreak, which Sabalenka edged 8-6. Rybakina responded by racing into a 2-0 lead in the second set and breaking again late to close it out 6-3. The deciding set was fiercely contested, with Sabalenka breaking for 5-4 but failing to serve out the match as Rybakina broke back and held for 6-5. Sabalenka then held under pressure to force a tiebreak, which produced the match's most dramatic twist. "Elena, she's a great player, we had a lot of tough battles in the very last stages and she's an amazing player honestly no idea how I was able to win those last points, I think I just got lucky," Sabalenka said after the match. "When I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points and actually not so long ago I was thinking, 'it's been a while since I've had some crazy comeback' and so here I am. "It's amazing to win matches like this, it trains your fighting spirit for the next tournaments and I'm proud of myself for trying 'til the very last point." Sabalenka will next face Czech Marketa Vondrousova, who is aiming for her first final since winning Wimbledon in 2023. Vondrousova defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-1 in a rematch of the 2023 Wimbledon final. Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu advanced to the semi-finals after the injury-plagued eighth seed Paula Badosa retired due to a right hip problem during their quarter-final. Wang, the world No.49, was leading 6-1 when Badosa pulled out of the contest. The Spaniard, visibly frustrated, smashed her racquet and hurled it across the court following the post-match handshakes. The 23-year-old Wang has enjoyed a breakout week in the German capital, beating second seed Coco Gauff in the previous round. She will next face either American Amanda Anisimova or Russia's Liudmila Samsonova for a place in the final. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has shown nerves of steel and a champion's resolve to defeat Elena Rybakina 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (8-6) in their Berlin Open quarter-final, saving four match points in the final-set tiebreak. Rybakina had led 6-2 in the deciding breaker on Friday and appeared on the brink of securing a place in the semis but after she was cruelly denied victory on her first match point by a net cord, the momentum swung in Sabalenka's favour. The Belarusian reeled off five straight points, eventually clinching the win as Rybakina faltered under pressure. Sabalenka's grit and power proved decisive against the 2022 Wimbledon champion. The first set was a see-saw battle, with Rybakina breaking for a 4-2 lead before Sabalenka hit straight back. Both players held serve from 4-4 to force a tiebreak, which Sabalenka edged 8-6. Rybakina responded by racing into a 2-0 lead in the second set and breaking again late to close it out 6-3. The deciding set was fiercely contested, with Sabalenka breaking for 5-4 but failing to serve out the match as Rybakina broke back and held for 6-5. Sabalenka then held under pressure to force a tiebreak, which produced the match's most dramatic twist. "Elena, she's a great player, we had a lot of tough battles in the very last stages and she's an amazing player honestly no idea how I was able to win those last points, I think I just got lucky," Sabalenka said after the match. "When I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points and actually not so long ago I was thinking, 'it's been a while since I've had some crazy comeback' and so here I am. "It's amazing to win matches like this, it trains your fighting spirit for the next tournaments and I'm proud of myself for trying 'til the very last point." Sabalenka will next face Czech Marketa Vondrousova, who is aiming for her first final since winning Wimbledon in 2023. Vondrousova defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-1 in a rematch of the 2023 Wimbledon final. Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu advanced to the semi-finals after the injury-plagued eighth seed Paula Badosa retired due to a right hip problem during their quarter-final. Wang, the world No.49, was leading 6-1 when Badosa pulled out of the contest. The Spaniard, visibly frustrated, smashed her racquet and hurled it across the court following the post-match handshakes. The 23-year-old Wang has enjoyed a breakout week in the German capital, beating second seed Coco Gauff in the previous round. She will next face either American Amanda Anisimova or Russia's Liudmila Samsonova for a place in the final. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has shown nerves of steel and a champion's resolve to defeat Elena Rybakina 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (8-6) in their Berlin Open quarter-final, saving four match points in the final-set tiebreak. Rybakina had led 6-2 in the deciding breaker on Friday and appeared on the brink of securing a place in the semis but after she was cruelly denied victory on her first match point by a net cord, the momentum swung in Sabalenka's favour. The Belarusian reeled off five straight points, eventually clinching the win as Rybakina faltered under pressure. Sabalenka's grit and power proved decisive against the 2022 Wimbledon champion. The first set was a see-saw battle, with Rybakina breaking for a 4-2 lead before Sabalenka hit straight back. Both players held serve from 4-4 to force a tiebreak, which Sabalenka edged 8-6. Rybakina responded by racing into a 2-0 lead in the second set and breaking again late to close it out 6-3. The deciding set was fiercely contested, with Sabalenka breaking for 5-4 but failing to serve out the match as Rybakina broke back and held for 6-5. Sabalenka then held under pressure to force a tiebreak, which produced the match's most dramatic twist. "Elena, she's a great player, we had a lot of tough battles in the very last stages and she's an amazing player honestly no idea how I was able to win those last points, I think I just got lucky," Sabalenka said after the match. "When I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points and actually not so long ago I was thinking, 'it's been a while since I've had some crazy comeback' and so here I am. "It's amazing to win matches like this, it trains your fighting spirit for the next tournaments and I'm proud of myself for trying 'til the very last point." Sabalenka will next face Czech Marketa Vondrousova, who is aiming for her first final since winning Wimbledon in 2023. Vondrousova defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-1 in a rematch of the 2023 Wimbledon final. Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu advanced to the semi-finals after the injury-plagued eighth seed Paula Badosa retired due to a right hip problem during their quarter-final. Wang, the world No.49, was leading 6-1 when Badosa pulled out of the contest. The Spaniard, visibly frustrated, smashed her racquet and hurled it across the court following the post-match handshakes. The 23-year-old Wang has enjoyed a breakout week in the German capital, beating second seed Coco Gauff in the previous round. She will next face either American Amanda Anisimova or Russia's Liudmila Samsonova for a place in the final. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has shown nerves of steel and a champion's resolve to defeat Elena Rybakina 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (8-6) in their Berlin Open quarter-final, saving four match points in the final-set tiebreak. Rybakina had led 6-2 in the deciding breaker on Friday and appeared on the brink of securing a place in the semis but after she was cruelly denied victory on her first match point by a net cord, the momentum swung in Sabalenka's favour. The Belarusian reeled off five straight points, eventually clinching the win as Rybakina faltered under pressure. Sabalenka's grit and power proved decisive against the 2022 Wimbledon champion. The first set was a see-saw battle, with Rybakina breaking for a 4-2 lead before Sabalenka hit straight back. Both players held serve from 4-4 to force a tiebreak, which Sabalenka edged 8-6. Rybakina responded by racing into a 2-0 lead in the second set and breaking again late to close it out 6-3. The deciding set was fiercely contested, with Sabalenka breaking for 5-4 but failing to serve out the match as Rybakina broke back and held for 6-5. Sabalenka then held under pressure to force a tiebreak, which produced the match's most dramatic twist. "Elena, she's a great player, we had a lot of tough battles in the very last stages and she's an amazing player honestly no idea how I was able to win those last points, I think I just got lucky," Sabalenka said after the match. "When I was just starting, I won a lot of matches being down match points and actually not so long ago I was thinking, 'it's been a while since I've had some crazy comeback' and so here I am. "It's amazing to win matches like this, it trains your fighting spirit for the next tournaments and I'm proud of myself for trying 'til the very last point." Sabalenka will next face Czech Marketa Vondrousova, who is aiming for her first final since winning Wimbledon in 2023. Vondrousova defeated Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-1 in a rematch of the 2023 Wimbledon final. Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu advanced to the semi-finals after the injury-plagued eighth seed Paula Badosa retired due to a right hip problem during their quarter-final. Wang, the world No.49, was leading 6-1 when Badosa pulled out of the contest. The Spaniard, visibly frustrated, smashed her racquet and hurled it across the court following the post-match handshakes. The 23-year-old Wang has enjoyed a breakout week in the German capital, beating second seed Coco Gauff in the previous round. She will next face either American Amanda Anisimova or Russia's Liudmila Samsonova for a place in the final.
