In Pictures: Roger Federer adorably bonds with young tennis players as he joins them on the court in Shanghai

Tennis legend Roger Federer spent a day in Shanghai, engaging with young tennis enthusiasts on the court. Organized by On Running, a Zurich-based athletic shoe and performance sportswear company, the event saw the Swiss interacting with kids, sharing his expertise, and even playing matches with them.

The event in Shanghai provided young players from Yunnan the rare opportunity to meet and play with one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

On October 9, On Running shared various pictures from the event on their Instagram account. The images showed the Swiss interacting with the kids and playing matches.

"What a day in Shanghai! Young tennis players from Yunnan had the chance to meet the one and only @rogerfederer —and even challenge him on court! It was all smiles, high-fives, and a reminder that no dream is ever out of reach," the post was captioned.

Since 2020, Roger Federer has been a close partner and investor in the company, which was founded in 2010 by professional ironman athlete Oliver Bernhard and his friends David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti. The company has even launched a special line of shoes called ‘The Roger,’ inspired by the tennis maestro himself.

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Roger Federer set to star in celebrity doubles match at Shanghai Masters special event

Roger Fedrer attending Day 9 at the 2024 US Open (Image source: Getty)

Roger Federer is set to make a special appearance at the Shanghai Masters on October 11, where he will take part in a celebrity doubles match.

The match will feature an impressive lineup, including Paris Olympic gold medalist in men’s table tennis Fan Zhendong, China's top-ranked male tennis player Zhang Zhizhen, two-time Olympic champion and retired Chinese table tennis star Wang Liqin, and Hong Kong pop music sensation Eason Chan.

Last year, the 20-time Grand Slam champion was honored as the first-ever international 'Icon Athlete' at the ATP Masters 1000 event. In May 2023, the Shanghai Masters announced its return to the ATP tour calendar after a four-year hiatus, and it was confirmed that the Swiss would make a special appearance as a guest, where he would be awarded the prestigious title.

Roger Federer has competed in the Shanghai Masters eight times, amassing an impressive 23-6 win-loss record and earning over $3 million in prize money. The two-time titleholder reached the semifinals on two occasions (2012, and 2018) and advanced to the quarterfinals in 2019. He also made it to the final in 2010, where he was defeated by Andy Murray.