THE ENDURING BOND BETWEEN TENNIS AND ROLEX

Rolex, through its unwavering commitment, pays homage to the timelessness of the tale unfurling on the lush canvas of a tennis court

- Ravi Raj

It's that time of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. The sun is at its harshest, beaches have come back to life, and for the world of tennis, it's time for new beginnings, as the crème de la crème of this art, converge in the cultural capital of Australia, to fight for one of the most coveted prizes the game has to offer. Welcome to the Australian Open, the season's first grand slam that sets the tone for the rest of the year.

As usual, there is no dearth of narratives. New heroes will be anointed; old guards will fall. Rolex, the esteemed timekeeper of the tournament, will be silently witnessing the rich myriad tales that will unfold within the hallowed arena of Rod Laver, and the neighbouring courts. Ever since the alliance between Rolex and the Australian Open was first forged in 2008, it has only strengthened with each passing summer.

Perplexingly, in a sport where time itself holds not the utmost importance to the outcome of the game, the horological heritage of Rolex has forged an indelible, ever-enduring bond. Perhaps it's the very absence of timely constraints that made Rolex such a great fit for tennis. The game flows on, against the stoic backdrop of the clock. Although you can extrapolate a lot about the game by simply looking at the clock. If the match ends within two hours, call it a complete obliteration. If it stretches to the three-hour mark, it's most likely to be an even contest, before one player finally blinks.