So, I went to the Rolex Shanghai Masters this year, 2023. It’s a pretty big deal in the tennis world, you know, one of those ATP Masters 1000 things. This year it ran from October 4th to the 15th. I’ve always wanted to see one of these tournaments live, and since I was planning a trip to Shanghai, it all just lined up perfectly.
First off, getting the tickets was a bit of a mission. I tried to book online, and let me tell you, their website was a pain. Eventually, I got a friend in Shanghai to help me out. Teamwork, right? Anyway, we got the tickets sorted, and I was all set.
The tournament is held at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center. That place is massive! I mean, it’s huge. When I got there, the atmosphere was buzzing. So many people, all excited about tennis. I got myself a program and started wandering around, trying to take it all in.
- Watched a few matches on the smaller courts. The level of play was insane, even in the early rounds.
- Grabbed some food from one of the stalls. It was typical stadium food, overpriced, but hey, you gotta eat, right?
- Checked out the sponsor booths. They had all sorts of stuff going on, giveaways, and games. It was pretty cool.
The highlight, of course, was seeing the big matches on the center court. The energy in there was electric. I got to see a couple of the top seeds play, which was amazing. Their skill, the speed of the game, it’s just something else when you see it live.
Getting Around and Stuff
Getting to the Qi Zhong Tennis Center was an adventure in itself. I took the metro, which was packed, but it was the easiest way to get there. Once I was at the center, getting around was easy, everything was well signposted, even for someone like me who doesn’t speak much Chinese.
I spent a few days at the tournament, soaking it all in. I even managed to snag an autograph from one of the players, a up-and-coming guy. No, I won’t tell you who he is, he may be famous in the future, haha. It was a bit of a thrill, I have to admit.
Overall, it was an incredible experience. Seeing a major tennis tournament like the Rolex Shanghai Masters up close, it’s something I won’t forget. If you ever get the chance to go, do it. It’s well worth the hassle.
