In the summer of 1998, I think it was mid-June, it rained almost nonstop for what felt like a month. At that point, I wondered if I had made a terrible mistake by taking the job as Tournament Director for a first-year event in Shanghai called the Heineken Open. That was 28 years ago.
When the Ba-shi Transportation company acquired the ATP 250 event in late 1997 and early 1998, who could have imagined that this small men’s professional tennis event would become the cornerstone of both men’s and women’s professional tennis in the world’s most populous country? Some might even say it became a cornerstone for all international sports.
The timing for the event's first edition could not have been more perfect. Michael Chang was in his prime. A humble Chinese-American tennis player who won the French Open at just 17 years old. I’ve known Michael since early 1994, during my time as Tournament Director of the Salem Open in Hong Kong. One of my earliest successes was securing Michael’s commitment to play at the Heineken Open for three years. He went on to win our inaugural year, defeating then-world number two, Goran Ivanišević. That victory sparked a flame that has propelled the event and the sport into becoming a global powerhouse, with both the ATP and WTA Finals successfully staged in China over the past 28 years.
Fast forward to 2008 and our first Rolex Shanghai Masters. People often ask me how we built the world’s most popular tournament among the players. I tell them honestly, it’s due to Chinese culture—the warmth, kindness, and attention to detail. Every moment, from a player's arrival to their departure, is meticulously planned. Meeting players at the airport and getting to know them on a personal level has made a huge difference over the years. Additionally, we benefited from five years of high-level training during the Tennis Masters Cup (2002, and 2005–2008) in dealing with the world’s best. Names like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and many others set the bar incredibly high.
My most memorable compliment came from Roger Federer during an early trip to Shanghai. If you recall, Roger opened the Qizhong Stadium in 2005 and has visited Shanghai more than 14 times! He once told me, “I’m attached to Shanghai, to China. I will always return here, even after I finish my career.” And you know what? He has!
Fans often tell me, “Everything is so organized and smooth.” As Tournament Director, that’s the compliment I cherish the most. What makes the Rolex Shanghai Masters truly unique is the blend of fans and the experiences we offer them. Nowhere in Asia can you get so close to stars like Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz on the practice court—maybe even catch an autograph or snap a photo! The state-of-the-art Qizhong Stadium, with its iconic eight-piece retractable roof, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025, enhancing the fan experience like no other.
Roger and I have been friends for over 23 years, and I’ve known his agent, Tony Godsick, for more than 26 years! It really makes me feel old. When you have a friendship like ours and also work in high-pressure situations, it strengthens the bond. During Roger’s playing days in Shanghai, the stakes were high, and both of us were under immense pressure. He didn’t want to disappoint his fans, and my job was to ensure the best conditions to let his genius shine on the court. Those years, full of emotions, created an unbreakable bond of friendship and loyalty that only those who have been through it can truly understand. Roger holds a special place in his heart for his Shanghai fans. They’ve supported him through four victories in this city, and, most importantly, he feels their love whether he wins or loses. The good news is that Roger will continue to be a part of the Rolex Shanghai Masters as an Icon Athlete.
What I’m most proud of when I talk about the Rolex Shanghai Masters is its impact on Chinese tennis. The event has become the gold standard in the country, and it has inspired the next generation of Chinese players. It has also provided a platform for top Chinese ATP and hopefully WTA players to break out in their careers. For Chinese children who play tennis, this event represents the pinnacle of their aspirations. They can dream, “Someday, I’m going to win the Rolex Shanghai Masters!” It’s a privilege to have played a small part in that history.
None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our Chinese ownership, the Juss Sports Group, my colleagues at Juss Event, the media, and, of course, the fans.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Rolex Shanghai Masters will feature major upgrades. A second retractable roof will be added to our Stadium Court 2, further enhancing the fan and player experience by ensuring weatherproof conditions. We’re also constructing a 1,200-seat new fan court where spectators can watch the world’s top players during their practice sessions. In the second week of the tournament, Roger will join us for a special fan night, which will include a celebrity doubles match—a family-friendly event for all. Our defending champion, Jannik Sinner, will return to defend his title, with Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz set to challenge him.
As I celebrate my 30th year as an ATP Tournament Director, I can look back on all the wonderful, challenging, stressful, funny, and sometimes not-so-funny memories over the past 28 years in Shanghai. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m deeply grateful for it. I look forward to many more years of creating memories.
