TENN360 | THE FAN'S GUIDE TO THE TOUR
tennis is more than the score.
SHANGHAI OPEN
Tour
ATP
Date of event
In Progress
Location
Shanghai
Surface
Hard outdoor
Singles Title
V Vacherot
Doubles Title
K Krawietz/T Pütz
Level
1000
TENN360 INSIGHT:
There are ATP Masters 1000s, and then there is Shanghai.
The Rolex Shanghai Masters is the only ATP Masters 1000 in Asia, and it has become one of the major events of the Asian swing. The tournament takes place at the Qizhong Tennis Center, famous for its extraordinary magnolia-shaped retractable roof — one of those tennis venues that manages to make you look up from the match.
It is also big. Very big.
The tournament now runs over two weeks with a 96-player singles draw, so there is an enormous amount of tennis to discover.
And then, of course, there is Shanghai itself.
A world-class Masters tournament in one of the world's great cities?
That is a fairly difficult invitation to refuse.
If you're buying a Centre Court ticket, I'd go for a side-on seat in one of the lower or middle sections.
The stadium holds around 13,880 spectators, so it is large enough to create an impressive atmosphere without making every seat feel impossibly far away.
For me, side-on is still the winner. You get the best view of the whole court and can properly appreciate the speed and movement rather than watching the match mostly from behind one player.
But here's the Shanghai secret: don't assume Centre Court is always the best place to be.
Grandstand 2 has been upgraded with its own retractable roof and seats around 5,000, giving it a much more intimate feel.
And then there is the practice stadium.
If your idea of the perfect tennis seat is close enough to hear the ball being hit, that may be the place I'd choose.
Excellent.
This is one of the reasons I'd put Shanghai high on the list for a serious tennis fan.
The tournament has specifically created a dedicated practice stadium, with around 1,400 seats, so fans can watch top players train in a much more intimate environment. The tournament describes it as a relaxed setting where fans can potentially see several of the world's best players in one day.
That's fantastic.
Rather than hoping to catch a glimpse of someone disappearing behind a security door, you can actually watch players doing one of the most interesting parts of their tournament routine.
So if player access matters to you, check the practice schedule and make it a priority.
And yes, bring the autograph pen.
I'd go if you want a proper Masters 1000 experience without staying in Europe or North America.
This is for the serious tennis fan who wants big names, a deep field and plenty of matches — but also wants the excitement of visiting somewhere completely different.
I'd particularly recommend it if you like tournaments that reward spending an entire day at the venue.
There is enough going on to keep you moving, from the main stadium to the outer courts and practice areas. The tournament has also developed a wider fan experience around the tennis, including its Masters Carnival.
And if you're travelling with someone who isn't quite as tennis-mad as you are, Shanghai itself provides a rather excellent distraction.
I'd give yourself at least a full day.
This isn't a tournament where I'd recommend arriving for one match and heading off again. The site is large, there are multiple courts, practice sessions and plenty happening around the grounds.
And don't make the mistake of thinking the Centre Court is automatically where you should spend the entire day.
The tournament has invested heavily in the experience away from the main stadium, including a dedicated practice stadium where fans can watch some of the world's best players train from unusually close range.
I'd also consider going during the first week rather than waiting for the quarter-finals.
Yes, the later rounds have the obvious big matches. But early in a Masters 1000 is when you can see several top players on the same day and still have the feeling that you've discovered something.
And leave time for Shanghai.
You are not going all that way to spend fourteen hours inside a tennis centre.
Shanghai's autumn weather can be wonderfully pleasant, but it can also be warm and changeable.
The main Centre Court has the obvious advantage of its retractable roof, while Grandstand 2 now has one too. That makes both a sensible choice if you're worried about heat, glare or rain.
The outdoor courts are another story.
If you're planning to spend the day wandering between them, come prepared for sunshine and don't forget that you can be outside for several hours without realising how much sun you've actually had.
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
And if the weather is being particularly kind, consider yourself lucky rather than assuming you've somehow mastered Shanghai's climate.
This is one where I'd use public transport and/or the tournament shuttle rather than drive.
The Qizhong Tennis Center is in Minhang District, away from central Shanghai. The nearest metro options are on Line 5, but there isn't a metro station directly at the tennis centre, so the tournament recommends combining the metro with a taxi or its shuttle service.
Dedicated tournament shuttle buses have also operated between the tennis centre and nearby transport hubs, including Xinzhuang and Zhuanqiao.
Ride-hailing is another straightforward option, with designated pick-up and drop-off arrangements near the venue.
I'd plan the journey before you leave your hotel rather than trying to work it out when the first match is about to start.
Shanghai is a huge city.
Your phone may confidently tell you somewhere is "nearby".
Do not trust it.
I'd skip it if you want a small, intimate tennis tournament where you can casually wander in and know exactly where everything is.
Shanghai is a major sporting event and it feels like one.
There is walking, crowds, security and a lot of ground to cover.
I'd also think twice if you are travelling solely to see one particular player. The field is exceptional, but players can withdraw, and even the tournament itself reminds fans that participation is subject to change.
And if your perfect tennis trip is a quiet little European town with a charming old stadium and everyone seemingly knows everyone else, this is rather the opposite.
Shanghai does not do small.
Power in Numbers
96
Single Draws
13,779
Centre court seat
25
Courts