Roger Federer has found out who he’ll be sharing a court with when he returns to tennis in Shanghai in October. In emotional scenes, the Swiss maestro retired from professional tennis at the 2022 Laver Cup and has since resisted the temptation to return full-time to the game.
However, this month, he confirmed he would be heading to China for a celebrity doubles match. The exhibition clash will take place on October 10 and coincide with the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters. Federer’s appearance will come just a day before the weekend of the two singles finals, and is likely to ramp up publicity for the tournament finale.
Fans now know who the 42-year-old will be playing with and against. It’s been confirmed that he’ll partner with one of two actors who are both renowned for being keen tennis players.
Hong Kong film star Donnie Yen, who plays Caine in John Wick 4, will be involved alongside Chinese TV personality Wu Lei, who has featured in numerous Asian drama series. One of those men will team up with ex-professional Zheng Jie, a tennis star in her own right.
Zheng, 42, is a former world No.15 who became the first Chinese woman to reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2008. Two years later, she also made the final four of the Australian Open, having won doubles crowns in both of the Slam tournaments in 2006.
She also won a doubles bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and eventually retired following Wimbledon in 2015. Her appearance alongside Federer will only serve to enthuse the public for a clash billed as ‘Roger and friends’.
Upon confirming his participation, Federer said: “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.”
The 20-time Grand Slam champion won two titles in Shanghai, missing out on a third by losing in the final to Andy Murray in 2009. Only the Scot, with three crowns, and Novak Djokovic, with four, have won more.
