My annual tennis date in Shanghai
Shenzhen resident Li Dongjun has never missed a single Rolex Shanghai Masters for the past 10 years. He is among the first batch of fans to have bought tickets for the nine days of competitions at this year’s tournament.
“They call me the craziest fan as I once took a return flight from Shenzhen to Shanghai in one day, covering 2,400 kilometers so as not to miss the matches but also managed to get back to work a night shift,” the 52-year-old said.
Li was hooked on tennis when he watched the 2005 Shanghai Masters Cup final on TV with David Nalbandian edging Roger Federer 3-2 for the title.
“That was a very exciting match and Federer’s playing style caught my interest,” Li told Shanghai Daily. “I watched the final of the 2006 Shanghai Masters Cup on TV too when Federer beat James Blake in straight sets for his first title in Shanghai. I told myself that I have to be in Shanghai the next year to watch the match myself.”
Li Dongjun
Li bought a ticket for the final of the 2007 event and took a train from Shenzhen for the match, with Federer beating David Ferrer in straight sets to defend his title.
“I was totally charmed by the atmosphere, including the fancy light effects, music in the venue and quality of the spectators,” said Li. “There are also tennis tournaments back in Shenzhen, but they could not match what I experienced in Shanghai. So I made up my mind that I would come to Shanghai every year.”
In 2008, Li spent 2,000 yuan (US$292) and bought a package two months in advance so he could watch all the matches. Federer lost in the round-robin in the 2008 tournament which was won by Novak Djokovic. It was also the last year for Shanghai to host the ATP Finals, which were replaced by the ATP Masters 1000 tournament from 2009.
Li's collection of Rolex Shanghai Masters tickets
Li usually takes his annual leave in October and books a hotel close to the venue, spending most of his time at the Qizhong Tennis Center.
“There are quite a lot to do there apart from watching matches. There are interactive games and performances. I have made friends with some die-hard fans there who are from out of Shanghai, but would come to Qizhong every year this time for the tournament. We would chat and drink at the venue, which was like a once-a-year gathering for us.”
Li’s “craziest” experience was in 2016 when he flew to Shanghai and back to Shenzhen the same day.
“I’m a civil servant, and was given short notice that I had to be on duty for a few night shifts in Shenzhen. But I had already bought tickets and hated to miss the competition in Shanghai. So I decided to make a return trip in one day.”
Li took a 7:15am flight from Shenzhen to Shanghai’s Hongqiao International Airport on October 14, 2016, and flew back at 9:20pm, heading straight to work. Two days later, he flew to Shanghai again for the final.
“My family members didn’t understand me when I first started making trips to Shanghai to watch tennis,” said Li. “But with the rise of popularity of the sport, they started to support my hobby. My sister is also starting to practice tennis.”
Guide books Li has collected over the past decade
His most memorable match was probably during the 2014 Shanghai Rolex Masters when Federer beat an in-form Gilles Simon 7-6 (6), 7-6 (2) in a hard-fought final.
“It was a year filled with surprises as he almost got eliminated in the second round when taking on Leonardo Martin Mayer,” Li said. “Federer had to save five match points before beating his opponent after the two hours and 40 minutes match, which was only his first match of that year’s tournament.
“We accompanied him all the way to the final before he saved two set points in the second set and claimed for his first ATP 1000 title in Shanghai. I couldn’t hold back my tears as I finally felt content as a dream had been realized.
“It was already after midnight when I left the tennis center. Together with some other fans, we went for barbecue and celebrated till early morning. I have to thank tennis for filling me with passion again at this age.”
Li said he would keep coming to Shanghai for the annual tournament even after Federer retires.
“This will be my life-long hobby,” he said.
Fan's passport
Li says he will keep coming to Shanghai even after Federer retires.
