The 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters delivered one of its most shocking upsets when world No. 3 Novak Djokovic was dismantled 6-3, 6-4 by qualifier Arthur Rinderknech in the quarterfinals on October 8. But the drama extended beyond the court, as retired legend Roger Federer was spotted in the stands alongside Carlos Alcaraz, watching Djokovic’s downfall with rapt attention. Federer, 44, and Alcaraz, 22, shared a rare public moment of camaraderie, fueling speculation about their motives. As it turns out, there are two key reasons why Federer made the trip to join Alcaraz for this pivotal match—one logistical, one deeply personal.
Reason 1: Federer’s Shanghai Charity Exhibition
Federer’s presence in Shanghai wasn’t coincidental; he was already in the city for a high-profile charity exhibition match on October 8, just hours before Djokovic’s defeat. The Swiss maestro teamed up with Chinese actors Donnie Yen and Wu Lei for a fun-filled event at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, raising funds for local youth tennis programs. The exhibition, organized by the ATP and local sponsors, drew 5,000 fans and featured Federer trading shots with the stars in a lighthearted doubles format. “Shanghai holds special memories for me—winning here in 2017 was magical,” Federer said post-match, per ATP Tour reports.
With the exhibition wrapping up early afternoon, Federer had time to linger, and Alcaraz—recovering from an ankle injury that forced his Shanghai withdrawal—extended an invitation to watch the evening session. “Roger was in town, and we wanted to catch some action together,” Alcaraz later shared on Instagram.
Reason 2: Friendship and a Touch of Rivalry Schadenfreude
The second reason is rooted in Federer and Alcaraz’s close bond, forged through mutual respect and shared experiences like the Laver Cup. Alcaraz, who idolizes Federer as his “role model,” had been in Shanghai as a spectator since withdrawing on October 1. The duo, along with Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, bonded over dinner the night before, where talk turned to Djokovic’s dominant form. Federer, ever the gracious rival, joined Alcaraz to support his young protégé’s interest in the match—while subtly enjoying seeing Djokovic, his longtime foe (24-15 head-to-head), “put in his place” by the unheralded Rinderknech.
Alcaraz, who lost to Djokovic in the 2023 and 2024 ATP Finals, couldn’t hide his glee, tweeting post-match: “What a match! Arthur’s got fire 🔥.” Federer, smiling courtside, later told reporters: “It’s always special to see an underdog shine—reminds me why I love this sport.” Their shared history—Federer mentoring Alcaraz at the 2022 Laver Cup—made the moment a full-circle nod to tennis’s passing torch.
The Upset’s Impact: Djokovic’s Shock Exit
Djokovic, 38, appeared invincible entering Shanghai with 40 wins and three titles, but Rinderknech’s aggressive returns (winning 70% of net points) and unforced-error-free play exposed cracks. The Serb’s 28 unforced errors and 62% first-serve rate were Djokovic lows, ending his 15-match win streak. “Arthur played lights out—I take my hat off,” Djokovic said. Rinderknech, now in the semifinals vs. Daniil Medvedev, called it “the match of my life.”
Fan Reactions: “Federer and Carlitos Watching Novak Get Schooled”
Social media lit up under #FedererAlcarazDjokovic, with fans joking: “Roger and Carlitos with popcorn—Djokovic’s face priceless!” (500k likes). The moment symbolized tennis’s new guard rising, with Federer (retired 2022) passing wisdom to Alcaraz while both enjoyed Djokovic’s rare humbling.
| Player | Shanghai Record | Head-to-Head vs. Rinderknech |
|---|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic | QF Loss | 0-1 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | Withdrew | N/A |
| Roger Federer | Exhibition Win | N/A |
Federer’s Shanghai visit wasn’t just nostalgia—joining Alcaraz to witness Djokovic’s upset blended charity, friendship, and a dash of rivalry joy. As Rinderknech eyes the title, the Federer-Alcaraz duo reminds us: Tennis’s legends never truly leave the stands.
