Roger Federer Promotes Grassroots Tennis

Roger Federer poses on tennis court as part of the “On Thanks for Playing” event in Shanghai, October 8, 2025.

On

As active ATP Tour players battled for points at the Shanghai Masters, tennis icon Roger Federer hit the streets to promote the game at its grassroots as part of Swiss sportswear brand On’s, “On Thanks for Playing” initiative.

Federer, an investor and strategic partner with On, and officials from the Shanghai Xuhui District Sports Bureau, unveiled newly renovated courts at the Shanghai Xuhui District First Youth Amateur Sports School.

“Shanghai has a special place in my heart, and to see the game thriving here is incredibly rewarding,” Federer said to Forbes.com. “Giving young players and the community access to good facilities is key to growing the game. The passion from everyone at the Xuhui District First Youth Amateur Sports School made this ‘On Thanks for Playing’ event truly special.”

Shanghai is one of the last Masters 1000-level stops on the ATP Tour. This year’s tournament got off to a rocky start, with No. 1-ranked Carlos Alcaraz withdrawing, No. 2 Jannik Sinner retiring due to severe cramps, and Novak Djokovic vomiting mid-match.

Forever the ambassador, Federer gave Shanghai fans with some goodwill. He hit a ceremonial first serve, participated in a light exhibition and later attended an event at a Shanghai mall.

Liu Yunzhi, a former player, referee, and tennis court builder, has built and renovated 4,000 professional courts across China over the past 27 years. She was on hand for the event.

“Supporting the development of tennis at the grassroots level is incredibly important,” Rebecca Cai, General Manager of On APAC, via press release. “The true essence of sports lies not only in the highlight moments on the court but also in the efforts of those who drive development behind the scenes. Liu Yunzhi and her team are the epitome of persistent behind-the-scenes contributions to China’s tennis development.”

Federer Among Stars Supporting Grassroots Tennis

Federer is one of several tennis stars to lend his celebrity to expanding the game through access to public courts. In May, Djokovic teamed up with Lacoste to unveil the Novak Djokovic Courts in Belgrade, Serbia.

The courts are part of a multifunctional sports field that includes basketball courts and designed to promote youth empowerment and education.

Last year, the USTA teamed up with Coco Gauff to rename Pompey Park, her hometown tennis courts in Delray Beach, in her honor. The courts were resurfaced through the USTA Tennis Venue Services Program.

“I strongly believe that tennis can continue to become a more accessible sport, and I would like to thank the USTA for continuing to commit to do so,” Gauff said in an interview with the USTA. “Investing in public parks and our youth is very important. I had a huge dream and this city, my family, my community supported that, and now I’m in the position to help maybe spark that dream in another kid.”

In 2018, after winning the U.S.Open, Sloane Stephens helped get tennis courts in Compton resurfaced. Last month, the Sloane Stephens Foundation was among ten organizations selected by the USTA Foundation to participate in a new Impact Hub, which includes enhancing courts and expanding access.

This was the second “On Thanks for Playing” event in Shanghai. Last year, young players from Wild Elephant—a tennis club dedicated to training kids in rural Yunnan Province—were invited to share their dreams and play with Federer.

“Seeing the hard work that goes into facilities like this makes you appreciate everything that’s happening behind the scenes even more, and there’s really nothing better than seeing the game you love being shared with a new generation,” said Federer. “It’s moments like these that show the real magic of tennis—not just at the Grand Slams, but right here, at the community level.”