On June 22, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 2, paused his Queen’s Club Championships trophy presentation after defeating Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2, to rush to his bag and retrieve his Rolex watch, realizing he had forgotten to wear it during the ceremony, per Express. As a Rolex ambassador since 2021 with a reported £6 million annual deal, Alcaraz is expected to display the watch during such events, and his initial oversight risked displeasing the luxury brand, per GB News. After noticing the error mid-photoshoot, he placed the trophy on the ground, quickly donned his £32,000 Rolex Daytona yellow gold watch with a turquoise blue lacquer dial, and resumed posing, ensuring the sponsor’s branding was visible, per GB News.
The incident, captured in posts on X like @DExpress_Sport, sparked amusement among fans, with some noting Alcaraz’s quick correction likely mitigated any serious sponsor backlash, per. Alcaraz later called the win “really special,” emphasizing his 18-match winning streak and confidence heading into Wimbledon, starting June 30, where he aims to defend his title, per Tennis365. The blunder, while awkward, underscored his commitment to his sponsorship obligations, a key part of his estimated $15 million net worth, bolstered by deals with Nike, Babolat, BMW, and Louis Vuitton, per Wales Online.
