Vijay Amritraj
Tennis ambassador and pioneer
Vijay Amritraj is celebrated for his contributions to tennis on and off the court, bringing global recognition to Indian tennis.
Tennis gave me more than I could have ever asked for and my Rolex stands for exactly that.
Vijay Amritraj
World-class player
Vijay Amritraj stands as a towering figure in the annals of tennis history, not just for India but for the sport as a whole.
His impact extends far beyond the court, encompassing roles as broadcaster, administrator and humanitarian, making him a true renaissance man of the sport.
India's tennis trailblazer
Amritraj began his tennis career in Chennai, India, quickly ascending the ranks with his remarkable talent.
In 1973, he gained international acclaim by reaching the quarter-finals at The Championships, Wimbledon. Amritraj reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 16 in July 1980, an unprecedented feat for an Indian player at the time. His aggressive serve-and-volley style brought him 16 singles titles and 13 doubles titles on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour. He reached the last eight at both Wimbledon and the US Open twice, showcasing his ability to compete at the highest level. Perhaps his most significant contribution to Indian tennis was leading the national team to the Davis Cup finals in 1974 and 1987, the only times India has achieved this in the open era. Amritraj’s career, marked by his elegant play, not only helped put India on the global tennis map but also inspired generations of players from southern Asia to dream big.
In 1976, after winning the Newport Hall of Fame Open, Amritraj was awarded a Rolex Day-Date: “From that moment on, it never came off my wrist and it is still my favourite possession… when I look at the watch, I always think, ‘I hope I deserved it’.”
Vijay Amritraj became a Rolex Testimonee in 2005.