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There are contrasting experiences but parallel objectives as Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev, the top two seeds, launch their 2023 Rolex Shanghai Masters campaigns.
For tournament debutante Alcaraz, it's a golden opportunity to add a new tennis milestone to those already accomplished at age 20; Medvedev brings the notable sentiment of lifting the Rolex Shanghai Masters trophy at Qi Zhong Stadium in 2019.
The 27-year-old has been delighted to revive those memories in his long-awaited return.
"It's been really, really great," said Medvedev, the No.2 seed, ahead of his first 2023 match.
"Because after four years, you kind of forget how it was and I had the feeling that I absolutely love this tournament for many different reasons and love this city but hadn't travelled so much throughout the world.
"I was like ‘am I still going to get the same feeling?' You never know. And I got exactly the same feeling or maybe even better. I'm still very, very happy to be back."
While every ATP Masters 1000 title is an impressive achievement, there would be added significance should Medvedev replicate his 2019 success this year.
The Russian holds 20 professional singles, with each of those trophies lifted un a different city. It adds to his motivation in Shanghai this week.
"A goal is to win every tournament I can, but it would be a lot of fun if in Beijing I managed to win a 21st in 21 different cities," said Medvedev.
"But at this moment I have only tournaments left where I won until the end of the year, so I hope I can do it and this is my first chance here in Shanghai and I'm going to try my best."
Medvedev carries momentum from reaching the final of his last tournament at the China Open, where he was runner-up to Jannik Sinner.
He also brings a winning record into a fourth match with Cristian Garin, whom he faces in the second match on Center Court. He's won two of three matches against the 98th-ranked Chilean, including in their last meeting at Roland Garros in 2021.
"Cristian is a strong player. He was top 20 before, so anyone who was top 20 can play really strong, so I'm expecting a tough battle," Medvedev said "He won his first match, he's used to the conditions, but I'm in big confidence right now, so I'm going to try to use it."
The top seeded Alcaraz, making his tournament debut, is equally excited to compete in Shanghai. "It's a tournament I wanted to play since I started playing the tour," he said, while noting its significance in a broader objective for the late 2023 season.
"I'm thinking about the No.1, to be able to earn the No.1 I(ranking)," said Alcaraz. "For me, that's the main goal for right now to the end of the season."
Alcaraz' immediate priority is a first career meeting with world No.73 Gregoire Barreire. The Spaniard faces the Frenchman in the first evening match at Qi Zhong Stadium.
Sinner is also excited to make his debut at the Rolex Shanghai Masters and arrives at the tournament fresh from winning an eighth singles title in Beijing. It ensures a career-high No.4 ranking for the 22-year-old Italian, who faces Marcon Giron on Saturday.
"He's a very, very good player, moving very, very fast, so it's going to be a very difficult match for me, especially first rounds are never easy," Sinner said of the world No.30 American.
"He played already one match (at the tournament), so let's see. I'm very focused and obviously happy to be here, so hopefully, I can start off in a positive way."
No 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who opens Center Court play on Saturday, will aim to continue his winning record against Rinky Hijikata. Tsitsipas defeated the Australian qualifier in their only other match at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Other notable names who will launch their Rolex Shanghai Masters campaign on Saturday include Frances Tiafoe (the No.10 seed facing Lorenzo Sonego), Tommy Paul (the No.12 seed against Sebastian Ofner) and Grigor Dimitrov (the No.18 seed taking on Aleksander Vukic).
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