Retired tennis legend Roger Federer enjoys almost a cult-like fan following in Shanghai, China and the former World No.1 gave some more insight during his recent visit to the 2023 Shanghai Masters.

The Swiss Maestro spoke about the fans incredible patience and commitment, highlighting a time when they waited outside his hotel for hours because he was asleep.

Read also

ATP Ranking Update: Hubert Hurkacz closes in on top 10 return after Shanghai Masters glory, Andrey Rublev into top five

Federer elaborates on special bond with Shanghai fans

"They are patient so they can wait for you anywhere - at the club, at the hotel, in the basement of the hotel," said Federer on the ATP Tennis Radio Podcast. "And they don't mind waiting. I will never forget when I was here for the very first few times for the World Tour Finals and I was tired, night session matches, and I would not come out of the hotel until 4 PM and Mirka would go out and grab coffee. She would tell them, 'No no Roger is not going to be here until 4 PM, so you can go, you don't have to wait in front of the hotel.' They were like, 'No no, he is never here. He is only here once a year. We are happy to wait."

Additionally, the 20-time Grand Slam champion revealed several fans once came to see him off at the airport following an early round loss.

"And they would wait and wait." he continued. "I mean the following was pretty cult-like and very intense. I will never forget, I lost first round. Everybody was super sad. You know from my team, my fans, the tournament, everybody was like, "Oh what a petty. You came here all this way and lost in the first round'.

Read also

Alexander Zverev dumped out of Japan Open at first hurdle by Jordan Thompson as ATP Finals chances dented

"I went straight to the airport, went back, trying to get, obviously, ready for, I think Basel, I believe it was that year as well. And there must have been like a 100 people at the airport. All waiting for me singing a song like, "Oh we can't wait to see you next year. We hope to see you again' with like tears in their eyes, and I was like, Oh my God'.