The Rolex Shanghai Masters has been named ATP Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year for 2026, the sixth time the event has won the ATP’s highest tournament honour.
Determined by feedback in the annual ATP player survey, the award recognises the tournament’s commitment to excellence, innovation and ongoing improvement. The Rolex Shanghai Masters received an exceptional score across more than 40 categories in the most extensive evaluation in ATP history, reflecting its continued investment in facilities, first-class player services and outstanding tournament operations.
Rolex Shanghai Masters Tournament Director Michael Luevano said that it was an honour to accept a 10th overall trophy across multiple categories in recognition of the tournament’s and city’s achievements.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognised as the Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year, particularly given the exceptional standards of excellence that our fellow Masters 1000 events uphold year after year,” he said. “At Juss Sports & Entertainment, we are driven by a constant desire to raise the bar, challenge ourselves and deliver an even better experience with every edition.
“This award is a wonderful recognition of the dedication and hard work of our entire team, and a proud moment for the City of Shanghai, which continues to play such an important role in the success of our tournament.”
The Rolex Shanghai Masters previously won the ATP Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year in its debut year in 2009 and for five consecutive years in all from 2009-13. In all other years (except for when it was not held due to COVID), the tournament has finished runner-up in the category, the most consistent display of excellence in ATP history.
The tournament, which received ATP Standards of Excellence Awards in 2024 and 2025, is held at Qizhong Tennis Center in October. In 2014 it won the ATP Award of Excellence for Player Services and the ATP Tournament of the Year in 2001 when Shanghai hosted an ATP 250.
Arnaud Boetsch, Director of Communication & Image of Rolex, said: “Rolex congratulates the Rolex Shanghai Masters on being named ATP Tour Masters 1000 of the Year. We are proud of this achievement and of our longstanding association with the tournament. This distinction recognises the dedication of the team and its unwavering commitment to excellence, values we have shared since 2009.”
The tournament is known for exceptional player service and hospitality. “Everything about this tournament is next level,” said Belgian star Zizou Bergs, commenting on the two new practice courts built this year within walking distance of the player hotel in the Jing An district. “This was done just for the players, to make life easier for us.”
Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann said: “The tournament is known for excellence of service. We really feel that as players.”
Players have praised the tournament for assets such as the 18-hole mini golf course to unwind on site, spacious gym with new equipment and recovery areas and exceptional food offerings in the player restaurant, including signature tomahawk steaks.
Players enjoy bantering with fans on the purpose-built 1,400-seat Royal Caribbean Masters Practice Court and they have also praised the tournament for adding a retractable roof over the 5,000-seat Grandstand 2 in 2025, which took just eight months to construct.
Luevano said that a focus on player comfort and personal touches, facility investment and city promotion are foundational to the tournament’s success, which is the result of years of hard work.
“We are like a tennis player,” he said. “You don't become world No. 1 overnight. It takes years of dedication, consistency, and a commitment to improving every single day. We approach our tournament with that same mindset. We are constantly refining what we do, addressing what can be better, and finding ways to raise our standards. This award is a recognition of that collective effort over many years.”
The 2027 Rolex Shanghai Masters will be held October 6-17.
