SHANGHAI – Executives from the ATP hailed a “new era” for Chinese tennis as they relaunched the lucrative Shanghai Masters on Monday after three consecutive years of Covid-19 cancellations.

The flagship event of the men’s game in the Asia-Pacific region was among many international sporting fixtures stopped by Beijing’s strict zero-Covid measures.

But international sports bodies have sought to bring back such events since those restrictions were lifted in December.

“The ATP Tour’s return to China in 2023 is a significant moment for tennis,” ATP chief executive officer Massimo Calvelli said at the launch ceremony.

“We are very confident this is the moment we will start a new journey... for tennis in China.

“We’re excited to reconnect with our Chinese fans this season and to continue building on our sport’s success in the region.”

Michael Luevano, tournament director of the Shanghai Masters, added: “The Rolex Shanghai Masters opened the door to the growth and development of world tennis in China and we are very proud of our achievements.

“We are the first and only tournament in Asia to be staged over two weeks.

“It will provide players with more jobs, provide fans with more thrilling tennis from some of the most exciting and dynamic athletes in the world, and continue to be the spearhead for tennis in Asia.

“The Shanghai Masters is ready to shine and ready to return, and host the world’s best tennis players.

“We will continue to be the benchmark for world tennis in Asia.”

Elite women’s tennis is also returning to China, after the WTA in March abandoned a boycott it had imposed over concerns for the safety of Chinese player Peng Shuai.

Peng, a former doubles world No. 1, has not been seen outside China since 2021, when she made – and then withdrew – accusations of sexual assault against a high-ranking official – former Chinese vice-premier Zhang Gaoli.

The WTA had previously said it would not return to China without a formal investigation into the allegations and an opportunity to meet privately with Peng.

Calvelli, when asked why the men’s game had not joined the boycott, said the ATP had made “different considerations”. “For me, the important part is the WTA is coming back, which is the right thing for the sport,” he said.

He also pointed to the success of Chinese players as another reason it was a “special time to come back”.

Wu Yibing beat John Isner of the United States at the Dallas Open in February to become the first Chinese player to lift an ATP Tour trophy.

Zhang Zhizhen then became the first Chinese player to reach the quarter-finals of an ATP Masters 1000 event when he beat American Taylor Fritz at the Madrid Open last week.

October’s Shanghai Masters will double its duration and the prize-money pool will exceed US$10 million (S$13.3 million), making it the richest sports event in Asia, the ATP added on Monday.

The event is also the last of four ATP Tour events in China scheduled in 2023.

Former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev will headline the Zhuhai Championships from Sept 20-26, which will run concurrently with another tournament in Chengdu.

The China Open will then begin in Beijing in late September, leading into the Shanghai Masters.

Several other major international sports events will also be held in China in 2023.

Badminton’s Sudirman Cup begins on Sunday while the Asian Games kick off in Hangzhou in September.

Major snooker and golf tournaments are also planned. AFP