Robert Federer To Roger: Can We Please Come Back To Shanghai Next Year?

Roger Federer’s eighth appearance at the Rolex Shanghai Masters just began on Tuesday in China, but already, Federer’s father is pleading with him to come back in 2020.

Robert Federer, who’s making his first trip to China with his 38-year-old son, is having that much fun in the city of more than 24 million people.

“He told me, ‘Can you please play next year so I can come back again?’ Because he’s having such a great time,” Roger Federer said.

So far, Federer is having a similar great time at the season’s penultimate ATP Masters 1000 event. The World No. 3 arrived early in Shanghai to participate in sponsor activities. On the court, he started with a 6-2, 7-6(5) victory on Tuesday against Albert Ramos-Vinolas to avenge his 2015 Shanghai defeat against the Spaniard.

“ I enjoy it a lot,” Federer said earlier in the week about Shanghai. “It’s so very different to where I come from. I have lived in many different places in Switzerland and then travelled extensively. But this is pretty special, the way this city and this country is set up and everything.

“The size, when it comes to anything, is just off the charts. The fans get together, really make a conscious effort and want to show me how excited and happy they are… Means a lot to me. Don’t get that kind of fan grouping like this together anywhere else in the world.”

Leading the fan base in Shanghai have been Federer’s parents. His mom, Lynette, is making her third trip to the city after coming in 2002 and 2005.

“They’re having a good time. They are sightseeing. So this was the first time my dad has seen the centre court and the site. Very impressed, very excited,” Federer said.

“And I’m happy that they’re here. They are also going to travel with me to Tokyo next Monday. They have never been to Japan, my parents. That should also be an exciting trip. And they have just came from Singapore where my sister was, so they are on an Asia tour. They are having a good time.”

As for his father’s request, Federer said he will try to please his dad. “’All right. I will try my best to be back here again next year,’” Federer told him.