Roger Federer, the greatest player in the history of tennis, announced his return to the tennis court for the final celebrity doubles match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on October 10.
The event, dubbed “Roger Federer & Friends”, marks his first appearance in Shanghai since 2019 and his first match after an official retirement from tennis in 2022.
The eight-time Wimbledon men’s singles champion posted a promotional short video on X, “Hello, this is Roger, and I am really happy to be returning to Qizhong Stadium in Shanghai for the Rolex Shanghai Masters.”
“Shanghai has always been a special place for me with great fans, unforgettable memories, and a real love for the game. I can’t wait to see you there on October 10. Shanghai, let’s meet!”
Federer has a great connection with the city. The exhibition is a chance to celebrate at a place where he won the Shanghai Masters singles title twice in 2017 and 2014.
The 20-time Grand Slam tennis title holder has a huge fan base in China. He also made an appearance in the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.
The Mighty Federer told the ATP Tour, “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.”
At the upcoming event, King Roger will be joined by former tennis players and celebrities, including:
• Zheng Jie: Two-time Grand Slam doubles champion
• Wu Lei: A renowned Chinese actor
• Donnie Yen: A prominent actor and martial artist
The Swiss Maestro announced his retirement from tennis owing to multiple knee injuries. The match is not his professional comeback, but an opportunity to play for fans.
The tennis star remained active in the public eye through philanthropic work, business partnerships and appearances at sporting events.
According to Bloomberg, Roger Federer is the first tennis billionaire with a net worth of $1.3 billion.
