A celebration of grassroots tennis and unveiling of newly renovated courts
Shanghai, China, October 8, 2025 — Today, Swiss sportswear brand On hosted its second “On Thanks for Playing” event in Shanghai, celebrating the spirit of grassroots tennis and giving back to the community.
The centerpiece of the event, attended by On co-entrepreneur Roger Federer and officials from the Shanghai Xuhui District Sports Bureau, was the unveiling of newly renovated courts at the Shanghai Xuhui District First Youth Amateur Sports School. In collaboration with local partners, On upgraded the tennis courts to provide a high-level training environment for young, aspiring players and the wider tennis community.
Leading the renovation efforts was Liu Yunzhi, a former professional player, referee, and tennis court builder, who has built and renovated an incredible 4,000 professional courts across China over the past 27 years. As a first-hand witness to the tennis boom in China, she knows all too well that access to high-quality courts not only affects players’ technical performance and development, but also serves as a catalyst for tennis to move from a niche to a mass sport.
“Supporting the development of tennis at the grassroots level is incredibly important,” Rebecca Cai, General Manager of On APAC. “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. We are honored to have been able to work with inspiring partners like her to bring this world-class facility to life.”
Roger Federer marked the occasion by serving the “first ball” on the new courts, leaving an exclusive champion’s mark. He also took to the court again to exchange balls with young local players and offer them guidance, sharing his insights and passion for the sport—a major highlight for all in attendance.
“Coming back to Shanghai always feels special,” Federer said at the event. “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. 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.”
Following the court ceremony, Roger Federer also greeted fans and store teams during a visit to the On store at Shanghai’s IAPM Mall.
The event marks the second “On Thanks for Playing” in China and reinforces the brand’s commitment to supporting the global tennis community and creating unique experiences that elevate the game for everyone. In 2024, the first event in Shanghai invited young players from Wild Elephant—a tennis club dedicated to training kids in rural Yunnan Province—to share their dreams and play with Roger.
To honor the spirit of Shanghai and Roger’s signature style, On also launched the 2025 Shanghai Special Tennis Collection two weeks prior to the event. The elevated capsule of footwear and apparel includes the THE ROGER Clubhouse Ace and THE ROGER Pro Ace shoes, along with special apparel pieces like the Graphic Club Long-T, Focus Tech Hoodie, and Focus Tech Sweatpants. This collection pays tribute to the elegance and quiet confidence of Roger’s style and celebrates the city’s connection to the sport.