By Richard Pagliaro Thursday, October 9, 2025
Photo credit: Kai
roger federer Expressed his gratitude for the game and offered his services to the newly renovated stadium in Shanghai.
20-time Grand Slam champion, co-owner of Swiss sneaker brand existunveiled in Shanghai this week, as the brand’s “About Thank you for playing“The event was held in Shanghai to promote the spirit of grassroots tennis and give back to the society.
Swiss Master Federer Officials from the Xuhui District Sports Bureau of Shanghai unveiled the newly renovated stadium of the No. 1 Youth Amateur Sports School in Xuhui District, Shanghai. Working with local partners, On has upgraded the tennis courts to provide a high-level training environment for young, aspiring players and the wider tennis community.
Federer left his mark by ceremonially signing autographs and hitting a first serve on the court.
Leading the renovation work is Liu Yunzhi, A former professional player, umpire and tennis court builder, he has built and renovated an incredible 4,000 professional courts across China over the past 27 years. As a witness to China’s tennis craze, she knows that high-quality courts not only affect the technical performance and development of athletes, but are also the catalyst for tennis to move from a niche sport to a mass sport.
Federer also took to the court again to exchange balls with and provide guidance to young local players, sharing his insights and passion for the sport, which was a highlight for all in attendance.
“It always feels special to come back to Shanghai,” Federer said at the event. “Seeing the hard work that goes into a facility like this makes you appreciate even more what goes on behind the scenes, and there’s nothing better than seeing a game you love shared with a new generation.
“It’s moments like this that show the true magic of tennis – not just at the Grand Slams, but right here, on a community level.”
After the opening ceremony, Federer also visited the On store in Shanghai IAPM shopping mall to pay tribute to the fans and store team.
The event is China’s second “Thank You for Playing” campaign and reinforces the brand’s commitment to supporting the global tennis community and creating unique experiences that elevate the game of tennis for everyone. In 2024, the first tournament was held in Shanghai, inviting young players from the Yexiang Tennis Club (a tennis club dedicated to training children in rural areas of Yunnan) to share their dreams and compete with Roger Federer.
To pay tribute to the spirit of Shanghai and Roger’s iconic style, On also launched the 2025 Shanghai Tennis Special Two weeks before the event. The high-end footwear and apparel collection includes THE ROGER Clubhouse Ace and THE ROGER Pro Ace shoes, as well as specialty apparel pieces such as the Graphic Club Long-T, Focus Tech Hoodie and Focus Tech Track Pants. The collection pays homage to the elegance and quiet confidence of Roger’s style and celebrates the city’s connection to the sport.
