Roger Federer guest of honor at the Shanghai Masters 1000

We can not say that Roger Federer has multiplied the appearances in the world of tennis since the announcement of his retirement in September 2022. Present at the Met Gala, May 1, in New York, seen at the F1 Grand Prix in Miami , six days later, the Swiss is discreet in the environment that made him king. But he will make an exception next fall. He will indeed be the guest of honor at the Shanghai Masters 1000 (October 4-15). This was announced on Tuesday by the tournament organizers in a press release.

The Shanghai Rolex Masters had disappeared from the calendar since 2019, constantly postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Federer has won the event twice, in 2014 and 2017. The most famous ambassador of the Swiss luxury watch brand, he will receive yet another award in China, the “Rolex Shanghai Masters Iconic Athlete”. “I am very happy with this appointment.he rejoices. I remember coming to Shanghai for the inauguration of the stadium and I am close to Juss Events and the organization of the tournament. I’m happy to continue the story and I look forward to seeing everyone in October. »

The great return of tennis in China

The Shanghai Masters 1000 marks the great return of tennis to China. Despite the Peng Shuai affair, which seems to have disappeared from the radar, the WTA also reversed its decision to boycott the country on December 1, 2021. On April 13, the organization which manages women’s tennis announced its return to China next September despite the lack of news from the Chinese player.

“After 16 months of suspension of tennis competitions in China and sustained efforts to achieve our initial goals, the situation has shown no signs of changing.explained the WTA in a press release. We have concluded that we will never achieve these goals and that it is our players and our tournaments that will ultimately pay an extraordinary price for their sacrifices. For these reasons, the WTA is lifting its suspension from hosting tournaments in the People’s Republic of China and will resume tournaments in China next September. »

Almost two years after the allegations of Peng Shuai, who had accused former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault in a message posted on social networks, everything is back to normal. Or almost.