Timing Greatness: Carlos Alcaraz’s Partnership with Rolex
Carlos Alcaraz, one of the best players in tennis and a true generational talent, was born on May 5, 2003, in El Palmar, a village in Spain’s Murcia region. From a young age, tennis was woven into Alcaraz’s life, as his father was a professional player. Inspired by his father’s career, Alcaraz set his sights on following in his footsteps. Fueled by this goal, he embarked on the journey that would turn him into the elite player he is today.
At just four years old, Alcaraz began playing tennis at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo Murcia. By the age of 12, he signed with his first agent, and less than three years later, he joined the Juan Carlos Ferrer Sport Academy in Villena, Spain. Alcaraz turned professional as a teenager, making his ATP Tour debut at 16 during the Rio Open in February 2020. A year later, at 17, he became the youngest player ever to compete in the Australian Open. Although he lost in the second round, Alcaraz demonstrated that he belonged on the biggest stage—and it wouldn’t be long before he broke out and put the tennis world on notice.
2021 was the year Alcaraz stepped into the spotlight. Winning his first ATP title in July at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open, he defeated Richard Gasquet in straight sets to become the youngest champion in ATP Tour history at just 18 years old. While tennis aficionados were already aware of Alcaraz, the rest of the world soon took notice during the 2021 US Open. He became the youngest player in the tournament’s history to reach the quarterfinals. Though injury cut short his quarterfinal against Félix Auger-Aliassime, Carlos Alcaraz had already shown he was a force to be reckoned with
July 2021: Carlos Alcaraz earns his first ATP title at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open
Alcaraz continued his rise to stardom in 2022, becoming the youngest player to win an ATP 500 title with his victory in Rio de Janeiro—a sign of even greater achievements to come. He went on to claim his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Miami, defeating Casper Ruud and becoming the third-youngest player ever to win at that level. Alongside these impressive wins, Alcaraz climbed the rankings to reach world No. 11.
February 2022: Carlos Alcaraz claims his first ATP 500 title at the Rio Open
March 2022: Carlos Alcaraz secures his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the Miami Open
At the Madrid Open, he stunned the tennis world by defeating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on back-to-back days—unbelievably, at just 19 years old, he took down two of the sport’s greatest legends. At the 2022 US Open, Alcaraz was ready to seize his moment, becoming the youngest Grand Slam winner in more than 17 years after defeating Casper Ruud in four sets. This victory also made him the youngest—and first teenage—world No. 1 in ATP history.
May 6th, 2022: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Rafeal Nadal in the Quarterfinals of the Madrid Open
May 7th, 2022: Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic in the Semi-finals of the Madrid Open
September 2022: Carlos Alcaraz wins his first Grand Slam title at the US Open
Carlos Alcaraz has won a total of 21 ATP Tour singles titles, including five Grand Slam championships: two Roland Garros titles, two Wimbledon titles, and one US Open title. At just 22 years old, Alcaraz has already claimed more tournament victories than many players achieve over their entire careers. He has firmly established himself as one of the sport’s best, earning praise from tennis legend Novak Djokovic for his exceptional level of play. It’s no surprise that, in early 2022, Rolex chose to sponsor Alcaraz, welcoming him into their prestigious family of Testimonies.
Explore the life and career of Carlos Alcaraz in this mini-documentary, presented by Rolex:
Carlos Alcaraz’s dynamic playing style and passion for tennis align perfectly with Rolex’s dedication to excellence, making him an ideal ambassador for the brand. Often spotted wearing his Rolex timepieces during trophy presentations and career-defining moments, Alcaraz has showcased an impressive collection over the years. Let’s take a closer look at the watches he’s worn.
US Open 2022 – Rolex Daytona Ref. 116500LN
After securing his first Grand Slam title at the 2022 US Open, Alcaraz was seen wearing his Rolex Daytona Black Dial (Ref. 116500LN) while holding the trophy. This impressive victory over Casper Ruud made him the youngest player in 17 years to win a Grand Slam title. The Daytona Black Dial is highly sought after by collectors and watch enthusiasts, celebrated for its elegance and precision—making it the perfect choice for such an iconic moment in Alcaraz’s career.
Wimbledon 2023 & 2024, Roland Garros 2024 – Rolex Daytona Ref. 116518LN
Upon capturing another Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2023, Alcaraz sported a Rolex Daytona Yellow Gold Meteorite Dial on an Oysterflex Bracelet (Ref. 116518LN). Introduced in 2021 and discontinued just two years later, this dial variation has become a rare and highly sought-after timepiece—much like Alcaraz himself, whose extraordinary talent and relentless work ethic set him apart as one of tennis’ true generational stars.
He later wore the same watch following his historic victory at Roland Garros 2024, which made him the first male player to win his first three Grand Slam titles on three different surfaces: the 2022 US Open (hard court), 2023 Wimbledon (grass), and 2024 Roland Garros (clay). He wore the watch again after claiming the Wimbledon 2024 title.
Roland Garros 2025 – Rolex Daytona Ref. 126518LN
Following his most recent Grand Slam title win at Roland Garros in 2025, Alcaraz sported a Rolex Daytona Yellow Gold Turquoise Dial on an Oysterflex Bracelet (Ref. 126518LN). In one of the most exhilarating Grand Slam finals in recent memory, he defeated Jannik Sinner in five sets to claim his second Roland Garros title. After falling behind two sets to none, Alcaraz rallied to win three consecutive sets, showcasing his determination and grit in overcoming a tremendous challenge. It was only fitting that he marked this landmark victory with a timepiece as exceptional as the moment itself.
At just 22 years old, Carlos Alcaraz has already reached extraordinary heights, capturing multiple Grand Slam titles and establishing himself among tennis’ elite players. With his blend of skill, discipline, and relentless drive, he has not only made history but also shown that much more lies ahead. As he continues to build his career and expand his trophy collection, tennis enthusiasts and watch aficionados alike can look forward to many more iconic moments—whether competing on the court, or lifting trophies with the Rolex timepieces that have accompanied him throughout his remarkable journey.
Explore the Rolex watches that have accompanied Carlos Alcaraz on the biggest stages, now available in our exclusive collection:
Rolex - Unworn Daytona Black Dial 116500LN
