Saint-Imier (Switzerland), 20th November 2008 – A new sports legend at Longines. The famous Swiss watchmaking brand is proud to announce a new addition to its star-studded family of Ambassadors of Elegance: Stefanie Graf. An unforgettable tennis champion, an icon of the sporting world in general, a woman of compassion and courage, Stefanie Graf is the perfect embodiment of the fundamental values held by Longines: excellence and elegance. Longines can now proudly boast among its Ambassadors the most incredible pair of tennis players of all time, since Andre Agassi, Stefanie’s husband, joined the Longines family in 2007.

This highly talented icon of women’s tennis started playing at the age of four and quickly rose to join the top-ranking players. She was always admired for her professionalism as well as her courage and has gone down as one of the leading names in the annals of tennis. During a career that lasted 17 years, Stefanie won every possible title: 902 tournaments including 22 Grand Slams and an Olympic medal; she was no.1 in the WTA ranking for 377 weeks – a record that has not been beaten to this day. Stefanie Graf was indeed a superlative player!

Graf officially retired in 1999 and has since devoted her time to her family – she and Andre Agassi have two children – as well as the charitable foundation she set up called “Children for Tomorrow”. The aim of the foundation is to provide help for children and families that have suffered the trauma of war, exile and violence.

Stefanie and Longines share the same love of excellence, performance, revival and elegance. Through her courage, commitment and generosity, this tennis champion is the perfect embodiment of the brand’s values and slogan: “Elegance is an attitude”.

Longines can rightfully boast a long history in the service of sport. As the official partner of the famous French Open at Roland Garros since 2007, Longines is thrilled to count the two most famous winners of this elegant Paris tournament among its Ambassadors of Elegance. Stefanie Graf actually succeeded in winning Roland Garros six times, the last of which was in 1999, the same year that Andre Agassi won there. In 2009 the couple will be able to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their joint victory in Paris.

Longines has always promoted courage, exceeding one’s limits, human ideals and generosity. It is already a firm supporter of "The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation" and will now be supporting Stefanie’s "Children for Tomorrow Foundation" too.

Referring to this new partnership, Walter von Känel, President of Longines, recently said, “Longines is proud that Stefanie Graf has joined her husband in our family of Ambassadors. Her excellence, her courage and her commitment to serve others are values that we also respect and promote.”

"I am honored to represent such an excellent Swiss watch brand,” commented Stefanie Graf. “Longines has a long reputation of quality and elegance.  We share many values and a strong commitment for children in need. I am looking forward to enter into a valuable partnership with Longines which will also benefit my foundation ‘Children for Tomorrow’.”
 

Source: Longines