ATP News : 2005


Federer hustles off to Shanghai for stadium dedication

Non-stop Swiss Roger Federer landed in Shanghai Monday for a full day of ceremonial duties as he dedicates the new lotus-roofed stadium that will host the season-ending Masters Cup next month.


dpa - Only hours after lifting his 11th title of the season with a repeat victory at the Thailand Open, the world number 1 boarded an overnight flight to China for a full schedule of off-court activities.

The November 13-20 Masters Cup will feature the top eight players in the world in the ATP, based on results obtained during 2005.

Federer, who booked his own spot atop the field in July, heads to China with the season-ending world number 1 ranking sewn up for 2005 after another trophy week in Bangkok, where he beat Briton Andy Murray 6-3, 7-5 in Sunday's final.

"I want to defend my Masters Cup title - it's one of my goals this year," said Federer, who was hosting a dinner for Chinese government and tennis officials Monday evening. The player's 24-hour visit to Shanghai was highlighted by the dedication of the Qi Zhong stadium complex, built in record time for an estimated price of 200 million dollars.

Federer was set Monday for two hours of media interviews, followed by a public dedication of the tennis complex amid a sea of dignitaries and up to 500 fans keen to see the tennis hero now riding a 31-match winning streak and victorious in his past 24 finals dating back more than two years.

While in Shanghai, Federer was also meeting with sponsors and others with a commercial interest in the biggest aspirational sport in China.

He will return to Europe Tuesday to prepare for a season-ending run of tournaments - Madrid, his hometown of Basel, Paris-Bercy and finally Shanghai. "I remember playing in Shanghai," Federer said. "The crowds were fantastic. I love playing in Asia and I look forward to November.

"It would be great to have a [regular season] Masters Series event in Asia. There are a number of them in Europe and North America, and it would be great for one of them to come over here."

Shanghai next month will be the two-time defending champion's fourth-consecutive appearance in the final after winning back-to-back in Houston in 2003 and 2004. The player's lone loss at any Masters Cup came in Shanghai in 2002 when he was beaten by Lleyton Hewitt in the semifinals.



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