World No. 1 Roger Federer has confirmed that he will be at the 2012 Shanghai Rolex Masters to be played at the stunning Qi Zhong Tennis Centre, 7 to 14 October.
Federer missed the 2011 event but he has messaged Tournament Director Michael Luevano to say that he will definitely be back for this year’s event which once again promises to be a fantastic tournament.
“It will be fantastic to return to Shanghai and the Shanghai Rolex Masters,” Federer said. “I love the city and especially the fans. I’ve enjoyed great success at the tournament, dating back to the Tennis Masters Cups. I hope all the fans will come out to enjoy the matches.
“Shanghai is one of my favorite cities in Asia, and I look forward to getting back to the Shanghai Rolex Masters. I love the passionate fans, and the facilities and tournament are amazing”
This will be Roger’s seventh trip to Shanghai. The last time he played the Shanghai Rolex Masters he reached the final where it took Andy Murray to stop him.
Novak Djokovic will also be making the trip to Shanghai again this year. Injury stopped him from playing 12 months ago but the Serb remains a very popular figure in Shanghai since winning the season-ending championship at Qi Zhong in 2008.
The two time winner of the Shanghai Rolex Masters and now the Olympic gold medalist and US Open champion Murray can expect a whole new legion of followers when he returns to defend his title.
“I really enjoy the tournament in Shanghai,” said Murray. “The whole week, they put on a great tournament. I really enjoy it. People are very friendly. They try very hard to make the tournament as easy for the players as possible. They just run a really good tournament.”
Tournament Director Luevano said fans can expect this year’s event to be sensational
“Every year we are thrilled with the way the Shanghai Rolex Masters grows and the exciting atmosphere that develops, and this year we believe it is going to be just as good if not better,” said Luevano.
“We are obviously thrilled to be welcoming back the World No. 1 and global icon Roger Federer. To also have Novak and of course Andy and since reaching the final here last year David Ferrer has gone on to have the best year of his career. It will be good to have him back as well as so many other stars like Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
“The tournament has a fantastic line-up once again, a line-up of players that is truly befitting an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event. We are all positive this is going to be our best year yet.”
The Shanghai Rolex Masters voted the last three years the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 “Tournament of the Year”, is the only such event in Asia. Tickets for the Shanghai Rolex Masters are available from the TICKET HOTLINE: +86-21-962123.
