Trophies, adulation & mixing it on the Metro: A flashback to Federer in Shanghai
On the 10th anniversary of Roger Federer’s first title in Shanghai, ATPTour.com looks back at his career at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
The former World No. 1 and 103-time tour-level titlist won the ATP Masters 1000 event twice in his illustrious career and finished with a 23-6 record at the tournament in China.
First Appearance In 2010
Federer had competed in Shanghai earlier in his career at the Nitto ATP Finals, then known as the Tennis Masters Cup. But this was his first appearance in the city competing at the Masters 1000 event in the city, which started in 2009.
On his debut in 2010, Federer reached the final without dropping a set and finished runner-up. He defeated Novak Djokovic in the semi-final, before losing 3-6, 2-6 to Andy Murray in the championship match.
<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/21/21/26/federer-shanghai-2010.jpg?w=100%25&hash=AB33D7273602144785DDD955E3E6BC93″ style=”width:100%;” alt=”Roger Federer lost to Andy Murray in the final of Rolex Shanghai Masters 2010.” />
Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Clinches First Title In 2014
Federer came into the tournament after a surprise loss to Marin Cilic in the semi-finals at the US Open. Making his fourth appearance in Shanghai, he dropped his first and only set of the week in a memorable second-round win against Leonardo Mayer. The Swiss, on the verge of an exit, saved five match points before prevailing against the Argentine.
He later set a semi-final clash against the two-time defending champion and then-World No. 1 Djokovic. Producing one of his best displays of attacking tennis, Federer triumphed 6-4, 6-4 against his great rival. In the final, he was tested by Gilles Simon, who pushed him to the limit, but Federer ultimately prevailed 7-6(6), 7-6(2). With the victory, he captured his 23rd Masters 1000 title.
“I feel unbelievable prestige to win this event. Especially putting my hands on the trophy for the first time is a good feeling, I must say,” said Federer.
<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/21/21/30/federer-shanghai-2014.jpg?w=100%25&hash=99EA871B5119050FC3F14EB5EDCB5BDF” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Roger Federer won the Rolex Shanghai Masters title after defeating Gilles Simon in 2014 final. ” />
Photo Credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Triumphant again in 2017
Three years after his first title, Federer repeated his near-perfect performance and won a second crown in Shanghai. In one of his best seasons in the latter stages of his career, the Swiss beat Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-3 in the final. He dropped only one set all tournament, in his semi-final match against Juan Martin del Potro.
With the win, Federer secured his 27th ATP Masters 1000 title and claimed his 700th tour-level match victory on hard courts.
<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/09/21/21/21/federer-shanghai-2017.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Roger Federer defeated Rafael Nadal in the final of Rolex Shanghai Masters in 2017. ” />
Photo Credit: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Federer Takes The Train
The 28-time Masters champion is hugely popular in China, and he surprised some lucky fans by taking the Shanghai Metro to Qi Zhong Tennis Center in 2017.
“I grew up on public transport when I was younger in Switzerland,” he said. “I used to take either tram, train, or bus to practice on a daily basis, and then also a lot of the train until about 20 years old, going to tournaments even to Italy, even internationally. So for me it’s something very normal.”
Photo Credit: Mike Frey/Rolex Shanghai Masters
The Legend Returns
The Swiss legend came back to Shanghai in 2023, one year after his retirement in September 2022. He received a huge welcome from the crowd. He was presented with an Icon Athlete Award by the tournament as a celebration of his storied career. The then 42-year-old participated in a Q&A session with WTA star Li Na and the No. 1 Chinese player in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, Zhang Zhizhen.
“I feel like I got the most incredible support here in Shanghai and in China. I’ve been very fortunate to play here for so many years,” he shared.
<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2023/10/13/13/30/federer-shanghai-2023-ceremony.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Roger Federer” />
Photo Credit: Lintao Zheng/Getty Images