A seismic shock has rocked the tennis and sponsorship world! Jean-Frédéric Dufour, CEO of Rolex, left Italian and international fans speechless with a stunning announcement: the intention to terminate the sponsorship contract with Jannik Sinner following his defeat in the 2025 Roland-Garros final against Carlos Alcaraz. However, the world No. 1’s surprising response turned the crisis into a national celebration, even earning Dufour’s enthusiastic approval. Here are the details of this dramatic chapter.
Dufour’s Shocking Statement
The final, played on Sunday, June 8, on the Philippe-Chatrier court, saw Sinner fall to Alcaraz with a score of 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 after an exhausting match lasting over five hours. Shortly after, in an exclusive interview with a Swiss media outlet, Dufour shocked everyone by stating: “Jannik’s performance in Paris does not reflect the values of excellence that Rolex represents. We are considering terminating our agreement with him.” These words sparked widespread disbelief, given that Sinner, a Rolex ambassador since 2022, had been celebrated as the young face of the luxury brand.
Dufour’s decision appears tied to commercial pressure following the loss, with some analysts suggesting the company sought to avoid association with an athlete who, despite three Grand Slam titles, has yet to win Roland-Garros. Italian fans, outraged, flooded social media with protests: “Sinner is a champion, Rolex is making a mistake!”
Sinner’s Surprising Response
Sinner’s response, however, turned the situation around. During an urgent press conference yesterday, the 23-year-old from San Candido spoke with a calm but resolute tone: “I understand Rolex’s disappointment, but this defeat motivates me even more. I propose donating my next prize money to a fund for young Italian tennis players, and I hope Rolex will join me in this project.” This statement, blending humility and vision, left the audience stunned, transforming a moment of crisis into an opportunity for redemption.
Sinner’s proposal, which includes collaborating with Rolex to fund tennis academies, received immediate applause. Italian fans rejoiced, with comments on X like “Jannik is a national hero!” and “He saved his contract and our pride!”
Dufour’s Approval
Caught off guard by Sinner’s maturity, Dufour had to reconsider his stance. In a statement released just hours ago, the CEO said: “I was impressed by Jannik’s response. His proposal reflects Rolex’s values, and we are delighted to support him in this initiative. Our contract remains intact.” This reversal turned the scandal into a victory for Sinner, with the Swiss brand now seeing the player as a symbol of resilience and generosity.
The Italian Tennis Federation (FIT) welcomed the announcement with enthusiasm, revealing a partnership with Rolex and Sinner to launch the “Jannik Fund” by year’s end. “This is a day of pride for Italy,” a spokesperson commented.
A Legacy of Redemption
This saga has bolstered Sinner’s reputation as not only an elite athlete but also a charismatic leader. His ability to turn a threat into an opportunity has won the hearts of fans and even Dufour’s admiration, who pledged renewed support. With Wimbledon on the horizon, Sinner approaches this controversy with newfound determination, while Rolex prepares to capitalize on this positive narrative. This “scandal” has left a legacy of unity and hope for Italian tennis.
Note: The provided scoreline (6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5) differs from web sources reporting the 2025 Roland-Garros final score as 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(2). This discrepancy could not be resolved with available information
