Roger Federer will play celebrity doubles at the Rolex Shanghai Masters

Three years after retiring from tennis, Roger Federer is returning to the court.

The former world No. 1 announced this week that he'll be headling "Roger Federer and Friends" at the Rolex Shanghai Masters in October.

The supporting cast of characters for the exhibition, which will take place on Oct. 10, includes Hong Kong filmmaker Donnie Yen, Chinese actor Wu Lei, and two-time Grand Slam semifinalist Zheng Jie.

"I am really happy to be returning to Qizhong Stadium in Shanghai for the Rolex Shanghai Masters," Federer said in a video released by the tournament. "Shanghai has always been a special place for me with great fans, unforgettable memories, and a real love for the game."

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Federer's announcement might've come as no surprise to those who kept up not just with his career, but with what he's been saying since his last professional match at the 2022 Laver Cup.

Ahead of visiting Wimbledon this summer, the Swiss star said he was keen to get back on the court and even teased thta he wanted to play some exhibitions "next year."

But he moved up that timeline to come back to a place that means a lot to him: Federer won two Masters 1000 titles in Shanghai, in 2006 and 2017, and also won the year-end championships there in 2006 and 2007.

The 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters will be played from Sept. 29 to Oct. 12.