Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer is slated to team up with Ze Zhang, the top-ranked Chinese player, at the upcoming Shanghai Rolex Masters 2013 tournament which will be staged from October 6 to 13 at Qi Zhong Stadium.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Zhang and we are truly delighted that Roger agreed to play with him,” said Tournament Director Michael Luevano. “The atmosphere will be quite special at Qi Zhong and will definitely prove to be a lot of fun for the fans and I am quite sure the two players as well.
“We know that Roger does not play a lot of doubles through the year so having him take to the doubles court in Shanghai is a wonderful addition to what is already shaping up to be a fantastic week of tennis.
“I have talked with Roger and Tony Godsick his manager, for a few years about playing doubles in Shanghai, it is just amazing that Roger has chosen to play with a Chinese player. It is a great testament to his affection with China and his Chinese fans, he really could have played with anyone.”
Zhang is currently ranked 180th in the world in ATP Singles ranking and ranked 334th in doubles. He’s the highest ranked Chinese player on the ATP tour.
“I know I am going to be quite nervous to be the doubles partner of Roger,” said Zhang. “He is such a big name all over the world and has achieved so much success, he is very, very popular in China and I see this as a big chance for me to get very good experience. I am very excited and I think my whole family will come and see the match.”
