Cover Roger Federer after winning the 2017 Rolex Shanghai Masters (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)
Roger Federer after winning the 2017 Rolex Shanghai Masters (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)
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The prestigious ATP Masters 1000 tournament, which returned after the pandemic, had star players like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune of Denmark and Taylor Fritz competing
The crisp October air was filled with the thwack of tennis balls and the roars of excited crowds, as the Rolex Shanghai Masters made its long-awaited return in October. This prestigious ATP Masters 1000 tournament had been on hiatus since 2019 due to the pandemic, but the wait was finally over.
From October 4 to 15, some of the world’s top tennis stars converged on Shanghai’s breathtaking Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, a stadium inspired by the magnolia, the city’s official flower.
The Shanghai Masters has been called Asia’s premier tennis tournament, and with good reason. For the only ATP Masters 1000 event held outside Europe and North America, all eyes of the tennis world looked east. Since becoming title sponsor in 2010, Rolex has been instrumental in growing the tournament’s stature, and the Swiss watchmaker’s commitment was evident this year with a 10-year extension of its sponsorship.
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Above Rolex Shanghai Masters was held for the first time after the pandemic (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)
Rolex Shanghai Masters was held for the first time after the pandemic (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)
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The expanded 96-player draw read like a who’s who of men’s tennis. Headlining were Rolex’s Testimonees, an impressive roster of champions like 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune of Denmark, while American Taylor Fritz also vied for the title.
One particularly special guest stood out above all the rest—Roger Federer. The Swiss legend, winner of 20 majors, made an appearance as the Shanghai Masters’ first Icon Athlete in recognition of his many triumphs here and contributions to tennis. Federer first came to Shanghai for the stadium’s opening in 2005 and has had a close relationship with the tournament ever since. His 2014 and 2017 Shanghai titles will forever be part of his storied legacy.
As Federer passes the torch to the next generation, Rolex looks forward to continuing its enduring connection to tennis. For over 45 years, the brand has championed the sport’s pursuit of excellence and precision. The Shanghai Masters embodies these values, making it a natural partnership. When the first serves were struck this past October, it marked more than just the return of world-class tennis: it signalled that the magic had returned to Shanghai.
As the Regional Editor for Watches and Jewellery and Editorial Content Lead for Tatler GMT, Amrita Katara specialises in luxury watch and jewellery coverage across Asia, with expertise in editorial strategy, feature writing and interviews with industry leaders. Her past roles span luxury lifestyle media and client partnerships. Based in Mumbai, Amrita’s work bridges global trends and Asian market insights.
