Longines Future Tennis Aces 2011
In line with its tradition, Longines will again be helping disadvantaged children by making a donation to the charity organisations founded and run by its ambassador of elegance, Andre Agassi, and the legendary former tennis champion, Jim Courier. And to wind up the event in style, Longines will have the honour of presenting the Longines Prize for Elegance at a gala dinner. This prize is a tribute to the commitment of a sportsman or woman to helping the most disadvantaged in our society.
On the strength of its previous experience and in line with the values it has always upheld, Longines has entered into a long-term partnership contract with Roland Garros as official partner and timekeeper for the French Open. The famous Swiss watchmaker is also looking to the future by organising the Longines Future Tennis Aces, a tournament aimed at promoting sport and encouraging the values of respect, fair play and tolerance which it holds dear. Longines has invited 16 boys under the age of thirteen from every corner of the world – Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America – to take part in its tournament in Paris. These budding tennis champions, who have been selected by the tennis federation of their own country, will compete over 2 days to try to quality for the final, which will be held in the morning on 4 June. They will be supervised and coached by two Longines Ambassadors of Elegance, Francesca Schiavone and Tsung-Hua Yang. After the final, the two finalists will be presented with a cup by a representative of the French Tennis Federation, plus a bursary to pay for their sports equipment until their 16th birthday. And moreover, the young finalists will have the opportunity to measure their skills against two tennis legends – Andre Agassi (winner of the men’s singles at Roland Garros in 1999) and Jim Courier (winner of the men’s singles in 1991 and 1992) in an exceptional exhibition doubles match that will be played on court no. 7 at Roland Garros.
In line with its slogan “Elegance is an attitude”, at the end of the match Longines will present cheques to the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and Children for Tomorrow, the two charity organisations founded and run by its ambassadors of elegance, Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf. The children will have an opportunity to be photographed with Andre Agassi and Jim Courier just before the press conference that will be held in the Tenniseum at Roland Garros. At the same time, the various activities of the charity organisations run by the 3 legendary tennis players will also be presented, as well as Longines’ commitment to promoting sport among young people. This day of dreams and action will finish with a charity dinner during which the Swiss watchmaker will have the honour of presenting an award to a sports personality as a tribute to his or her work in favour of the most disadvantaged in our society. In presenting the Longines Prize for Elegance, the brand aims to reward a tennis player who has shown true elegance of spirit.
Longines will also be using the French Open to present its Longines Column-Wheel Chronograph, a sophisticated timepiece that perfectly reflects the brand’s philosophy as well as its slogan “Elegance is an attitude”. Evoking the precision and beauty of tennis, its stainless steel case houses an exclusive self-winding movement featuring a blued column-wheel that can be admired through the transparent back cover. This model has a silvered dial with 13 hour symbols and its chronograph functions include a centre seconds, a 30-minute counter and a 12-hour counter. This exceptional watch is mounted on a dark brown alligator strap.
Based in St. Imier in Switzerland since 1832, the watchmaker Longines can look back on more than 175 years of non-stop craftsmanship, as well as a solid heritage as timekeeper for world championships in various sports and collaborator with different international sports federations. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 130 countries.
About the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education
The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education seeks to transform public education in two ways. Through its signature project, the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, the Foundation works to provide underserved children in Las Vegas with a first-class education from kindergarten to 12th grade to prepare them for excellence in college and beyond. Through state and national advocacy, the Foundation strives to increase investment in, and accountability for, public schools. To support the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education or to obtain additional information, please visit www.agassifoundation.org.
Children for Tomorrow
Children for Tomorrow is a non-profit that provides assistance to children and families who have become victims of war, persecution, and violence by helping to heal the psychological wounds within. The Foundation was established 1998 by Stefanie Graf in cooperation with the Outpatient Clinic for Refugee Children and their Families at the University Clinics of Hamburg-Eppendorf. Learn more at www.childrenfortomorrow.de/en-index.html
Courier’s Kids
Founded in 2004, Jim Courier’s charity organisation aims to enable disadvantaged children to have access to tennis courts. Through this organisation he supports the First Serve Program, a full education and sports programme for young people.
