ATP Shanghai: Everything You Need to Know About the Rolex Shanghai Masters

Rolex Shanghai Masters at a Glance

What Is the ATP Shanghai Masters?

The ATP Shanghai Masters, officially known as the Rolex Shanghai Masters, is a men’s professional tennis tournament held in Shanghai, China. It is part of the ATP Masters 1000 series, a group of nine major tournaments that sit directly below the four Grand Slam tournaments in the men’s tennis calendar.

The tournament is played on outdoor hard courts at the Qizhong Tennis Center in Shanghai. Because it is a Masters 1000 event, the tournament attracts many of the world’s leading players and offers 1,000 ATP ranking points to the singles champion.

Shanghai is particularly important on the ATP Tour because it is the only Masters 1000 tournament held in Asia. The event has therefore become a major part of the international tennis calendar and an important stop for players competing during the Asian swing of the season.

The tournament was established as an ATP Masters 1000 event in 2009. It replaced the Madrid Masters’ former October position in the calendar after Madrid moved to the spring clay-court season. Since then, Shanghai has developed into one of the most recognizable tennis events in Asia.

Where Is the Shanghai Masters Played?

The Rolex Shanghai Masters is played at the Qizhong Tennis Center, also known as the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, in Shanghai’s Minhang District.

The venue was originally developed for the Tennis Masters Cup, which was held in Shanghai from 2005 through 2008. The site later became the home of the Shanghai Masters when the city received an ATP Masters 1000 tournament starting in 2009.

One of the most recognizable features of the main stadium is its retractable roof. The roof consists of large steel panels inspired by the magnolia, the official city flower of Shanghai. The main stadium was designed with a capacity of around 15,000 spectators.

Additional courts were also developed around the venue before the first Shanghai Masters in 2009, including Grand Stand Court 2 and Grand Stand Court 3. This allowed the tournament to accommodate a large Masters 1000 field.

History of the Shanghai Masters

Shanghai has a long connection with professional tennis. A professional tournament was first held in the city in 1996, when the Shanghai Open was won by Andrei Olhovskiy.

A major turning point came in 2002, when Shanghai hosted the Tennis Masters Cup, the year-end championship of men’s tennis at the time. Lleyton Hewitt won the title that year, and the success of the event helped demonstrate Shanghai’s ability to host a major international tennis competition.

The Tennis Masters Cup returned to Shanghai from 2005 through 2008. During those years, the tournament was played at the newly built Qizhong venue. Roger Federer reached three finals in Shanghai, winning the titles in 2006 and 2007, while Novak Djokovic won the 2008 edition.

In 2007, the ATP announced that Shanghai would receive an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament beginning in 2009. The new event was designed to continue the city’s role as an important center for professional tennis in Asia.

The first Shanghai Masters was held in 2009. Nikolay Davydenko won the inaugural singles title after defeating Rafael Nadal in the final.

Shanghai Tennis Timeline

Notable Shanghai Masters Champions

Some of the biggest names in men’s tennis have won the Shanghai Masters. Novak Djokovic is the tournament’s most successful singles player, with four titles. He won in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2018.

Andy Murray also enjoyed a strong period in Shanghai, winning consecutive titles in 2010 and 2011 before adding another championship in 2016. Roger Federer won twice, in 2014 and 2017.

The tournament has also produced new champions. Daniil Medvedev won in 2019, Hubert Hurkacz captured the title in 2023, and Jannik Sinner became champion in 2024 after defeating Djokovic in the final.

In 2025, Valentin Vacherot produced one of the biggest stories in tournament history by winning the singles title. He defeated Arthur Rinderknech in the final to claim his first Shanghai Masters championship.

Shanghai Masters Records and Milestones

How Does the Shanghai Masters Work?

As an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, the Shanghai Masters is significantly larger than a standard ATP 250 or ATP 500 event. The main singles draw contains 96 players, while the doubles draw features 32 teams.

The tournament also includes a qualifying competition. Players who do not receive direct entry into the main draw can compete in qualifying for a place in the singles field.

The singles champion receives 1,000 ATP ranking points. The finalist receives 650 points, while the semifinalists receive 400 points. Ranking points decrease as players exit the tournament in earlier rounds.

This makes Shanghai particularly important late in the season. Players are often competing not only for the tournament trophy but also for valuable ranking points that can influence their position in the ATP rankings and qualification for the Nitto ATP Finals.

Why Is the Shanghai Masters Important?

The Shanghai Masters has a special place on the ATP Tour because of its location. It is the only ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Asia, giving the region a major event that attracts the leading players in men’s tennis.

The tournament also plays an important role in the ATP season’s Asian swing. It follows other major events in the region and provides players with a chance to earn a large number of ranking points before the final weeks of the regular season.

For tennis fans, Shanghai offers the opportunity to watch top players compete in a Masters 1000 environment while also experiencing one of China’s largest and most international cities.

The tournament’s history is another reason it stands out. From hosting the Tennis Masters Cup to becoming a permanent Masters 1000 destination, Shanghai has built a strong connection with elite men’s tennis over several decades.

5 Things to Know About the Shanghai Masters