 "Roger Federer played an exhibition match at Shanghai Masters in 2024 as well. Image: Reuters")
Good news for Roger Federer fans is in the store as the legendary tennis player is set for a return to the courts, albeit for an exhibition match. The 20-time Grand Slam winner will take part in the “Roger Federer & Friends” celebrity doubles match on 10 October at Qizhong Stadium in Shanghai, China.
The exhibition match in 2025 will include Chinese actor Wu Lei, martial artist and actor Donnie Yen and former world No. 3 doubles player Zheng Jie.
“Hello, this is Roger, and I am really happy to be returning to Qizhong Stadium in Shanghai for the Rolex Shanghai Masters,” Federer said in a video posted by Rolex Shanghai Masters on X. “Shanghai has always been a special place for me, with great fans, unforgettable memories, and a real love for the game.”
As a player, Federer won the Shanghai Masters title twice in his career, in 2014 and 2017. In the 2017 men’s singles final, Federer defeated his close friend and arch nemesis, Rafael Nadal, 6–4, 6–3.
Federer returns to Shanghai in 2025
Federer played an exhibition doubles match at the tournament in Shanghai in 2024 as well, where he partnered with popular Chinese singer and actor Eason Chan. The Federer-Chan duo defeated Chinese tennis star Zhang Zhizhen and table tennis champion Fan Zhendong in an exhibition game.
In 2023, a year after his retirement, Federer was awarded the Icon Athlete Award at the Shanghai Masters to celebrate his glittering career.
Recently, Federer was also seen at Wimbledon, attending Novak Djokovic’s fourth-round match. He received a loud reception from the fans as he attended the match with his wife, Mirka. Federer, who won his first Wimbledon title in 2003, holds the record for winning the All England Tennis Club men’s singles tournament eight times. His last trophy win came in 2017.
Djokovic is second in the list with seven Grand Slam wins at Wimbledon, with his last victory coming in 2022. This year, Djokovic lost to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals as the Italian went on to beat Carlos Alcaraz to win his maiden title.