Current location:style >>
Shanghai swoons over Federer again as legend holds court
style741People have gathered around
IntroductionRoger Federer is hugged by a mascot as Chinese tennis star Zhang Zhizhen enjoys the moment at the Sh ...
Roger Federer is hugged by a mascot as Chinese tennis star Zhang Zhizhen enjoys the moment at the Shanghai Masters on Friday. AP
One year into his retirement, Roger Federer remains Shanghai's all-time favorite, with or without a racket in his hand.
With world-class tennis on display and a lot going on at the Rolex Shanghai Masters' maiden upgraded edition, the Swiss legend's return to the tournament last week still easily stole the show at Qizhong Tennis Center, where fans have embraced him as their own and adored him since his first visit to the city in 2002.
The 20-time Grand Slam singles champion made his first appearance at the tournament in four years on Friday, since he last played at the tournament in 2019 before the pandemic break, only to realize that his popularity in the eastern metropolis has not waned at all.
Cheered on by a full house at the stadium court, Federer was awarded an "Icon Athlete" of Asia's only ATP 1000 event by tournament director Michael Luevano, with Chinese women's legend Li Na and the country's current men's No 1 Zhang Zhizhen in attendance during a ceremony that honored every classic moment he spent in Shanghai.
From his first trip in 2002 to competing at the season-ending ATP Masters Cup (now known as the ATP Finals) to his last visit as a player in 2019, Federer has built a special connection with Shanghai, where the growth of tennis in the city overlapped with the upward trajectory of his stellar career.
"Ever since I showed up here as a teenager in 2002, maybe I even had a ponytail, I looked different, I played different, but I got so many fans," said Federer, who announced his retirement 13 months ago due to a nagging knee injury.
"I feel like, from the first moment I came, I got the most incredible support here in Shanghai and in China. I've been very fortunate to play here for so many years."
Thanks to his elegant style, exquisite skills and celebrity charisma, Federer's popularity in Shanghai has transcended the sport. It's fairly safe to say that, other than two-time major winner Li, it was Federer who took tennis to the masses in the table-tennis-loving nation.
And now he can rest assured that the sport's future here is in good hands.
"It's been great to see tennis grow in China. One icon is standing here and a future superstar in the making there," Federer said of Li and Zhang, who shared the stage together with him at the ceremony.
Managed by Federer's former coach, Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia, Zhang has enjoyed a strong surge on the ATP Tour since becoming the first Chinese mainland man to crack the world's top 100 in October 2022. He carried on that momentum to reach the round of 16 in Shanghai last week.
"From watching my idols play courtside to standing side-by-side with them is amazing, I feel so honored," Zhang, a 26-year-old Shanghai native, said of sharing the court with Li and Federer on Friday.
After a four-year break from visiting China, Federer reacquainted himself with Shanghai last week — taking a city walk on Friday morning, when he strolled around a local neighborhood near his hotel, visiting a fresh-food market and enjoying a few steamed buns to go with his cappuccino as breakfast.
Despite his zealous fan following, the affable Federer always tries to make time to experience local life in Shanghai, highlighted by his subway ride to the tournament venue in 2017 and his repeated appearances in the landmark Bund area.
Back when he was still a superstar in the making, Federer was given the honor of opening the newly built Qizhong Tennis Center at its unveiling ceremony in 2005. He later won the prestigious tournament twice, in 2014 and 2017, and racked up a 23-6 win-loss record on the center's courts.
His appearances are showstoppers every time.
"I saw him before the match. I know Roger for a couple of years. When he got to my match, obviously, all the spectators stopped watching tennis, because they started watching only Roger, so it was a fun moment," tournament finalist Andrey Rublev said of Federer's appearance in the stands during his quarterfinal win over Ugo Humbert on Friday.
"Obviously, when Roger comes to the court, it's always a special moment."
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“World Watch news portal”。http://japan.brianlynch.org/html-52f699904.html
Related articles
Mohammad Mokhber: Who is Iran’s acting president?
styleDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s first Vice President Mohammad Mokhber was appointed as act ...
【style】
Read moreTürkiye raises year
styleANKARA, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye's Central Bank has raised its end-of-year inflation forecast for 2 ...
【style】
Read moreWest Ham gives departing Moyes a winning sendoff at London Stadium with victory over Luton
styleLONDON (AP) — West Ham manager David Moyes said farewell to London Stadium while Luton was left almo ...
【style】
Read more
Popular articles
- Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit
- Lithuania elections: Lithuanians vote as anxieties rise over Russia and Ukraine war
- Buddha's birthday: When is it and how is it celebrated in different countries?
- Zimbabwe wins toss and elects to bowl in final T20 against Bangladesh
- Amtrak train hits pickup truck in upstate New York, 3 dead including child
- Backcountry skier dies after being buried in Idaho avalanche
Latest articles
Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
Teacher 'who took virginity of her 16
Backcountry skier dies after being buried in Idaho avalanche
Chinese yuan weakens to 7.1028 against USD Thursday
Socialite Jasmine Hartin enjoys beach snuggle with electrician hunk
Brentford beats Bournemouth on Yoane Wissa's stoppage
LINKS
- How major US stock indexes fared Thursday, 4/18/2024
- Firefighters to tackle scaffolding dangling outside ruins of fire
- Paige Spiranac says Masters viewing figures plunged 20% because 'fans are turned off' by LIV
- New York man Craig Ross Jr is sentenced to 47 years to life for sexually assaulting nine
- UK's Princess of Wales says she is under cancer treatment
- Junta troops kill 4 in post
- US envoy to UN visits Nagasaki A
- Brazil's president calls for IMF reform to reflect today's world
- UK's Princess of Wales says she is under cancer treatment
- Flyers at migrant camp show how the border is inflaming US politics