Tennis progress serves up winning returns

Number of tournaments underlines popularity of sport

Riding high on a wave of growing public demand, tennis has entered the sporting mainstream in China.

Inspired by Li Na's Grand Slam wins at the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open, the sport's momentum is underlined by the rising number of international tournaments in the country and growing public appreciation.

The 2018 Rolex Shanghai Masters, one of nine top-flight events on the Association of Tennis Professionals World Tour, provided the latest proof of the surging enthusiasm for the sport on and off the court.

At 10 am on Oct 8, three hours before the tournament's second day began, Qizhong Tennis Center in western Shanghai already was bustling with fans. They jostled for courtside positions to watch the practice sessions of Swiss great Roger Federer and Serbian star Novak Djokovic on the first working day after the weeklong National Day holiday.

Given the two players' popularity globally, such crowds are understandable. But two days later, enthusiastic fans packed the 15,000-seat center court and chanted "Go Roger" in between points and waved "Always PeRFect" banners during Federer's opening victory against Russia's Daniil Medvedev. Federer compared the fans' rousing support to a soccer match.

"You very rarely get a chance to see a group of guys getting together like this (during a tennis match), sitting a few rows up and holding up massive banners," he said after the match. "I feel that's very unique here in Shanghai, almost like football fans."

Federer, a professional for 21 years who has played more than 1,400 matches worldwide, enjoys a sensational following wherever he appears, but the welcome in Shanghai has really made him sit up and take notice.

"They make me a big priority for this week, and clearly because of the fans here in Shanghai the week is enjoyable and different," said the 37-year-old, who lost to Borna Coric of Croatia in straight sets in the semifinals on Saturday.

Djokovic, who trails Federer's 20 Grand Slam titles by six, echoed his rival after lifting the Shanghai trophy for a fourth time by beating Coric 6-4, 6-4 in the final on Sunday.

"It's all very, very positive. For more than 10 years I have been coming to China, and there has been something special about this place that makes me feel at home," said the world No 2, who is just 35 points behind Rafael Nadal of Spain in the rankings.

Djokovic showed his appreciation for his fans by writing his name in Chinese characters on a TV camera lens.

"I don't know. Maybe I was Chinese in a past life," he said at a news conference after the final. "I wouldn't be surprised, to be honest, with the way I feel here and have this relationship with the people."

The Shanghai event, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, attracted nearly 130,000 fans from Oct 7 to Sunday, the tournament organizing committee said.