For the second straight 12 months, Roger Federer was again in Shanghai. Two days after his charity match, the previous champion took his seat within the entrance row to witness a Masters 1000 last.
A 12 months in the past, the Swiss Maestro watched a high-profile showdown between Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic. This time, the stage advised a really completely different story.
Roger attended the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 last in historical past between world no. 204 Valentin Vacherot and his cousin Arthur Rinderknech. It was a battle that nobody might have predicted when the event started.
Roger
ROGER
ROGERRRRR
FEDERERRRRRRRRRight here for the third 12 months in-a-row, @rogerfederer takes to court docket for an exhibition doubles match in Shanghai! #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/ZMbVTTNvWy
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 10, 2025
It was a vivid reminder of how open and unpredictable the game will be – a celebration of alternative, perception and onerous work over rankings or repute. The environment was extra intimate and household associated, however the emotion was simply as highly effective.
For Roger, the encounter marked one other signal of tennis' fixed evolution. The acquainted courts in Shanghai, as soon as residence to his biggest triumphs, now showcased two lower-ranked gamers chasing their first ATP title on the notable scene below his watchful eye.
The Swiss witnessed the game's full circle inside a 12 months – from Sinner and Djokovic to Vacherot and Rinderknech. The previous champion watched established greatness and the beginning of recent desires inside 12 months.
Roger Federer, Shanghai Masters 2025© Stream screenshot
To make the story much more memorable, Vacherot defeated his cousin 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in two hours and 14 minutes to turn out to be the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 champion.
Rinderknech claimed the opener earlier than a qualifier stepped in and outplayed him in units two and three. The previous Texas A&M Aggies held their nerves and landed extra winners than unforced errors.
Valentin misplaced serve as soon as within the opener and offered three breaks in units two and three that carried him excessive and towards tennis historical past.
