THE SPORTING LIFE

BEING AT THE TOP OF YOUR GAME a sports legend — as well as a Rolex Sports how they measure success.

Power MOVES

LINDSAY VONN PUSHES HER LIMITS

U.S. World Cup Alpine ski racer Lindsay Vonn is one of the most suc-

cessful skiers in the world. Her ability to ski was suddenly put at risk in

2013 when she injured her knee, which caused her to miss a full skiing

season and the Olympics in Sochi, Japan. Although it was a devastating

blow to her career, her fearlessness and perseverance turned that ob-

stacle into what she considers her biggest strength today.

"Skiing is like nothing else on earth," she said. "I love it. I think every-

one should at least try it once in their life. At the top of a mountain I feel

free; it’s my home. When I’m racing, it’s all instinct."

“I’ve always been a fearless person and I definitely think that’s given

me a big advantage in my career as a skier," she added. "I'm never

afraid to go faster; I’m always pushing myself to the limit."

“I’ve had a lot of injuries in my career, but it was my mother who told

me to never give up. She had a stroke while giving birth to me and

almost died, but she never complained about anything. I think that if she

can overcome that, then my injuries are nothing. My setbacks and my

injuries have made me a stronger person. In the end, it's not just about

the wins; it's about the adventure."

year after year is what it takes to become Testimonee. Here, three famed pros tell us

Changing COURSE

TIGER WOODS ON REDEFINING SUCCESS

Considered one of the greatest golfers ever and the first to win all four professional

majors in a row, Tiger Woods is truly a legend in his own time. But over the span of his

20 years in the limelight, his definition of success has evolved and changed.

"Success used to be about getting A’s and about winning tournaments, he

said, "but now I believe a successful life is just about being happy. It is not about what

one accomplishes in their life, whatever their goals are. I think it’s just looking at your-

self in the mirror and being happy.”

"There were times when I couldn’t say that," he recalled. "I think all of us battle

and have to try to keep a balance. I’m happy with who I am and what I've achieved

on and off the golf course."

Off the course, he's a devoted dad and a passionate diver. "The most rewarding

thing that’s ever happened to me is being a father. And I grew up in Southern Califor-

nia, surfing, and I dive all the time. I free-dive with my kids and by myself. I scuba and I

spearfish.”

“I like the anonymity that comes with being in the ocean. My daughter loves shells,

and my son loves sand dollars. They point at something that is too deep for them and I

have to drop down, get it and bring it up. It doesn’t get much better than that."

When he's not playing golf, Woods is most likely diving in the ocean – his other passion – accompanied by none other than his trusted Rolex Deepsea. “My watch has been part of wins, of losses, part of adventures with my kids, individual adventures. It’s literally been around the world close to 10 times."

Courting VICTORY

ROGER FEDERER TURNED DISAPPOINTMENTS INTO WINS

Roger Federer is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, holding 20 Grand Slam titles and the record

for most titles at Wimbledon. But for the Swiss-born Federer, tennis wasn’t always about breaking records.

“My goals were very down to earth, very normal, hoping to be maybe a top 100 tennis player, possibly

top 10," he said. "However, reaching for my dreams was always something I tried to do. But it took me

years to feel completely at ease on a tennis court.”

“I tried to understand what mental strength was all about," he added, "and I needed to learn the les-

sons the hard way—feeling the big disappointments after losing yet another match because of uncon-

trolled emotions. So I took inspiration and motivation out of rivalries, out of records that could be broken,

out of tournaments that I loved playing."

“Eventually, I realized I could be the first Swiss to be World No. 1 — and that everything that had not

been done before, I could achieve."

“Then came 2009. I had just won the French Open for the first time that summer, and I was going to

Wimbledon trying to break Pete Sampras's all-time Grand Slam record. When I did win and broke the

record in an epic five-set match against Andy Roddick, I couldn’t believe it until I was finally able to lift the

trophy. I was wearing my Rolex on my wrist."

"Every time I put on my Rolex, it reminds me of those great moments. It also reminds me that if you do

not work hard, somebody else will, and they eventually will pass you. So you’ve got to be tough and even

ruthless to some extent, but always be fair and play with style. I think that’s really important." Federer's Rolex is especially important to him. "When I look at it, I remember Pete Sampras, Rod Laver and other tennis legends in the audience congratulating me for breaking the record. It was nice to feel the love from the tennis family, which is very important to me.”