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2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters
September 29 - October 12
Last Updated on October 12, 2025
The 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters was a professional men’s tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It was the 14th edition of the event and a part of the ATP Tour Masters 1000 series on 2025 ATP Tour. The tournament took place from September 29 to October 12, 2025, at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai, China.1“Rolex Shanghai Masters Overview”. atptour.com. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
As the only ATP Tour Masters 1000 event held in Asia, the tournament was a key part of the ATP’s “Asian Swing” and a crucial stop for players seeking to improve their ranking and qualify for the ATP Finals at the end of the season. The event featured a singles draw of 96 players and a doubles draw of 32 teams.2“Event Information”. en.rolexshanghaimasters.com. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
Qualifier Valentin Vacherot captured the 2025 Shanghai Masters singles title after defeating Arthur Rinderknech in a thrilling final, 4–6, 6–3, 6–3. The victory marked not only Vacherot’s first ATP Masters 1000 crown, but also his maiden ATP Tour title.
The Monégasque made history on multiple fronts — becoming the first player from Monaco to win an ATP Tour singles title, the first unseeded champion in Shanghai Masters history, and the lowest-ranked player ever to claim the title (world No. 204). His triumph also set a new ATP milestone, as he became the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 champion since the format’s inception in 1990.
Vacherot joined an elite group as only the fifth player to win a Masters 1000 tournament as their first tour-level singles title, following Roberto Carretero, Chris Woodruff, Albert Portas, and Jakub Menšík. He was also just the third qualifier ever to lift a Masters 1000 trophy — after Carretero (1996 Hamburg) and Portas (2001 Hamburg).
In an extraordinary run, Vacherot defeated five seeded opponents consecutively on his way to the title, completing one of the most remarkable underdog stories in ATP history.
Tournament Details
| Date | 29 September – 12 October |
| Edition | 14th |
| Draw | 96 Singles / 32 Doubles |
| Category | ATP Masters 1000 |
| Prize Money | $9,193,540 |
| Surface | Hard |
| Location | Shanghai, China |
| Venue | Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena |
Tournament Links
| Official Website | ||
| ATP Tournament Profile | ||
| Results | Draws | Schedule |
Champions
| Event | Champion(s) | Runner(s)-up |
| Men’s Singles | 🇲🇨 Valentin Vacherot | 🇫🇷 Arthur Rinderknech |
| 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 | ||
| Men’s Doubles | 🇩🇪 Kevin Krawietz [3] 🇩🇪 Tim Pütz |
🇸🇪 André Göransson 🇺🇸 Alex Michelsen |
| 6–4, 6–4 | ||
Player Field
The 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters, the final ATP Masters 1000 event of the regular season, drew a star-studded field to the Qi Zhong Tennis Center, bringing the ATP Tour’s finest to China. The stakes were incredibly high, with players vying for a prestigious title, crucial ranking points, and a chance to qualify for the year-end Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. Ultimately, the tournament was defined not by its favorites, but by the improbable, record-shattering victory of qualifier Valentin Vacherot.
Favorites Faltered as History Was Made
While the tournament was stacked with talent, the main headline coming into the event was the late withdrawal of world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz due to a left ankle injury. Although his absence was a significant blow, the draw was still led by top contenders.
The defending champion and former world No. 1, Jannik Sinner, entered the tournament in red-hot form. Sinner, who had defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2024 final to claim his maiden Shanghai title, was aiming to become the first player to successfully defend the Shanghai Masters since Djokovic in 2013. However, the Italian’s campaign fell short of the final stages, clearing the path for an unexpected winner.
World No. 3, Alexander Zverev, a former Shanghai finalist in 2019, was another top contender looking to capitalize on the opportunity to add a Masters trophy to his collection. Likewise, the legendary Novak Djokovic, a record four-time Shanghai champion, made his highly anticipated return to the tour, marking his first appearance since his US Open semifinal loss to Alcaraz. With a record 39 match wins at the event, Djokovic’s experience and mastery of the Qi Zhong courts made him a formidable threat, but he was ultimately defeated by the eventual champion in the semifinals.
The Field and Notable Performances
The American contingent was well-represented. Taylor Fritz, a semifinalist in 2024, had a strong year but was unable to secure his first Masters 1000 success of the season. Ben Shelton, known for his explosive power and high-energy game, was a player to watch as he looked to build on his impressive season.
The main draw also featured a host of other notable players, including Australian Alex de Minaur, Lorenzo Musetti, Karen Khachanov, Holger Rune, and Casper Ruud. Rising stars and fan favorites like Félix Auger-Aliassime, Andrey Rublev, Alexander Bublik, Jiří Lehečka, and Daniil Medvedev added to the quality of the competition.
Several players who had entered on a protected ranking, including Jenson Brooksby and Sebastian Ofner, were eager to make a strong comeback and leave their mark.
The home crowd was treated to the presence of local wildcards, offering a glimpse into the future of Chinese tennis. Rising star Shang Juncheng and veteran Zhang Zhizhen, along with Wu Yibing and Zhou Yi, all had the chance to compete against the sport’s elite in front of their home fans, adding an extra layer of excitement to the early rounds.
The qualifying rounds produced some intriguing stories, with players like Alejandro Tabilo, Valentin Royer, and Dalibor Svrcina earning their spots in the main draw, a testament to the depth of talent on the ATP Tour.
The Final Result: A Record for the Ages
Despite the star power, the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters will forever be remembered for its final, which featured an all-cousin contest between Arthur Rinderknech and qualifier Valentin Vacherot.
In a match for the history books, Valentin Vacherot defeated Arthur Rinderknech 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 to win the singles title. It was Vacherot’s first career ATP Tour title overall, achieved at the ATP Masters 1000 level.
The Monégasque’s victory set a cascade of records:
- Vacherot became the first Monégasque player to win an ATP Tour singles title.
- He was the first unseeded champion of the Shanghai Masters.
- Ranked No. 204, Vacherot was officially the lowest-ranked champion in the tournament’s history.
- Most notably, he became the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 champion in ATP Tour history since the series format was established in 1990.
- Vacherot also became the fifth player to win a Masters 1000 as their first tour-level singles title and the third qualifier to win a Masters 1000 title. His title run was particularly impressive, as he defeated five seeded opponents in a row en route to the trophy.
Prize Money and Ranking Points
The Rolex Shanghai Masters is one of the most financially lucrative tournaments outside of the Grand Slams. The total prize money for the 2025 event was approximately $9,193,540, with the winner of the singles tournament receiving a significant portion of this amount.3“2025 Shanghai tennis prize money”. atptour.com. Retrieved 1 October 2025. The breakdown of prize money is as follows:
Singles
| Round | Prize Money (USD) | Ranking Points |
| Champion | $1,124,380 | 1000 |
| Runner-up | $597,890 | 600 |
| Semifinals | $332,160 | 400 |
| Quarterfinals | $189,075 | 200 |
| Round of 16 | $103,225 | 100 |
| Round of 32 | $60,400 | 50 |
| Round of 64 | $35,260 | 30 |
| Round of 128 | $23,760 | 10 |
Doubles
| Round | Prize Money (USD) | Ranking Points |
| Champions | $457,150 | 1000 |
| Runners-up | $242,020 | 600 |
| Semifinals | $129,970 | 360 |
| Quarterfinals | $65,000 | 180 |
| Round of 16 | $34,850 | 90 |
| Round of 32 | $19,050 | 0 |
Venue
The tournament is held at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, a state-of-the-art tennis complex located in the Minhang District of Shanghai. The venue is renowned for its architectural ingenuity and stands as a testament to Shanghai’s commitment to hosting world-class sporting events. The centerpiece of the complex is the main stadium, which has a seating capacity of 13,779.
The most distinctive feature of the arena is its retractable steel roof. Designed to resemble a blooming magnolia flower, the official city flower of Shanghai, the roof consists of eight petal-shaped pieces. Each petal weighs two tons and is capable of opening or closing in just eight minutes, allowing the venue to quickly adapt to changing weather conditions and host both indoor and outdoor matches. The intricate design and engineering of the roof have earned the arena international acclaim.
The entire complex spans an impressive 80-hectare area and includes a total of 25 courts, with expansion plans to eventually reach 40. In addition to the main stadium, there are several other show courts, including a Grand Stand Court with a capacity of 5,000 and another with a capacity of 3,000, ensuring ample space for concurrent matches and training. The surrounding area is beautifully landscaped with a significant amount of green and open space, providing a serene and modern environment for players and spectators. The venue was originally built to host the Tennis Masters Cup from 2005 to 2008 before becoming the permanent home of the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
History of the Tournament
The Shanghai Masters, officially known as the Rolex Shanghai Masters for sponsorship reasons, has a relatively short but illustrious history. The tournament was founded in 2009 as part of the ATP’s strategic push to expand the sport’s presence in Asia. Its creation filled a void in the ATP calendar, establishing a major, top-tier event in the region. The tournament was an immediate success, and from 2009 to 2013, it was voted the ATP Tour Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year by the players themselves, a rare feat for a new event.
Before the establishment of the current Masters 1000 event, Shanghai had a history of hosting professional tennis. The city held the Shanghai Open, an ATP International Series tournament, and, most notably, the Tennis Masters Cup (now the ATP Finals) from 2005 to 2008. The success of the Masters Cup, which showcased the world’s top players, demonstrated the city’s capability and enthusiasm for hosting premier tennis competitions, laying the groundwork for the creation of the Shanghai Masters.
The tournament quickly became a favorite among players and fans, known for its superb facilities, enthusiastic crowds, and excellent organization. Its position late in the season makes it a critical event in the race to the ATP Finals, often featuring high-stakes matches between players vying for the final spots. The tournament has been won by many of the sport’s biggest names, including Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, and Daniil Medvedev. The most successful player in the tournament’s history is Novak Djokovic, who has won the singles title four times (2012, 2013, 2015, and 2018).
The tournament experienced a significant interruption from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a three-year hiatus. Its return in 2023 was met with great anticipation and a larger format, with the singles main draw expanding from 56 to 96 players, making it a two-week event similar to the Indian Wells and Miami Masters.