Everyone dreams of being at Wimbledon, let alone winning the tournament. Rolex Testimonees Angelique Kerber and Coco Gauff have made significant impacts there. Kerber triumphed at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships, while Gauff had a breakthrough in 2019 when, at just 15, she received a wild card and became the youngest player in tournament history to qualify for the main draw, where she famously defeated Venus Williams.
Three-time Grand Slam winner Kerber, who only returned to the tour in January after giving birth, and Gauff, currently ranked World No. 3 by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), continue to shape the world of women’s tennis with their unique playing styles and achievements. As the Wimbledon Championship approaches, they share more about their experiences and what lies ahead with GRAZIA.
ANGELIQUE KERBER
On winning Wimbledon
There are no words to describe the feeling of winning Wimbledon. For me, personally, it has been my biggest achievement. From the moment I started playing tennis as a kid, it was my dream to win Wimbledon. I didn’t just win Wimbledon in two weeks; I won it over 10 years. During that time, I had to overcome a lot of ups and downs which taught me a lot about myself and helped me become the player that I am today.
On her favourite watch
My favourite watch has to be the Datejust with the black dial that I received after winning Wimbledon. I had the date and Wimbledon Champion engraved on the back of the watch, so it’s a really special watch for me. It reminds me that I achieved my dream. Rolex watches always have stories behind them, and everyone who buys a Rolex has a story to tell about their watch.
On her comeback to tennis
There’s a real movement in women’s sport. There are so many women practising hard and showing that hard work pays off. I hope to show the next generation of female tennis players that doing what you love is the most important thing. I came back to tennis because it’s my passion and I missed the feeling of playing. For women in any sport, I think it is important to feel you are welcome in your sport, and that if you dream and keep practising you can achieve great things.
COCO GAUFF
On her breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2019
Achieving my breakthrough moment at Wimbledon meant a lot to me—it was an amazing moment in my career. I don’t think I completely grasped the importance of it at the time, and maybe I still haven’t. It’s crazy to see how much my game has evolved since then and how much I have grown as a person in five years. I think it definitely helped to jump-start my career as it gave me belief in my game and what I could achieve in tennis. Reflecting on that time always reminds me of the fearlessness I showed during that tournament and that I should continue playing this way.
On being part of the Rolex family
Being given the opportunity to represent Rolex on a global stage is a great privilege, especially alongside all the other incredible athletes and tennis players they support. I have been with Rolex since I was 15, and for them to have believed in me from such a young age was incredible. To be with them five years later is even more amazing, as it really feels like I’m part of a family. Every time I put my watch on I feel like I’m representing the brand and I try my best to represent it in the most respectable and honourable way.
On inspiring players
The players I take my biggest inspiration from are Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz, who are also part of the Rolex family. Roger is a legend of the game; I’ve looked up to him since I was a little kid and have a great amount of respect for the way he approaches everything. Like him, I try to carry myself in the best way and stay true to myself. I love what he stands for on and off the court, and I try to be a version of that. I like Carlos as a person and also as a player. He portrays such positivity and looks like he’s always having fun on the court even when the moments are so stressful, which always reminds me to relax.
This article originally appeared on GRAZIA Malaysia.
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