| October 12, 2024 | by Vivienne Christie |
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For every ace struck by the world's top players at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, there's an off-court star quietly delivering premium service behind the scenes.
From court servicers to racquet stringers, security teams and player concierges - plus many other roles in between - a network of hundreds helps ensure the tournament thrives.
Many of those hardworking team members have a connection with the tournament that spans years. And while their roles at the tournament are wildly varying, there's a common theme around their Rolex Shanghai Masters roles - all of them love their jobs.
That's despite some long days throughout the tournament, which for many team members start at 8am and can extend to 2am the following day. "Normally I am one of the first ones arriving and finishing after the last match finishes," explains Camilo Scaff, who has been managing Court Services at the tournament since 2014.
Camilo and his team of some 40 members work hard to take care of important details at the event. This includes the sparkling clean courts, carefully prepared player benches (complete with towels, drinks and dozens of bananas), and taking note of any maintenance that might be required throughout the venue.
Born in Chile, Camilo is now a long-time resident of Shanghai. And when he's not working at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, his full-time job is as a tennis coach. Unsurprisingly, the tennis aficionado loves to see the world's top players in action.
Roger Federer is a long-time favourite player, while Camilo also likes to watch Grigor Dimitrov "because I have a one-handed backhand too!" Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are also much admired. "But they're all fantastic players," he adds.
A passion to support the stars competing at the Rolex Shanghai Masters is a sentiment C.J McCallister and Jay Young understand well. As heads of security, the Florida-based pair are responsible for "everything that requires player escort and therefore player safety."
C.J and Jay have a first-hand view of how much fans in Shanghai have come to love the world's top players. Supporters in Shanghai work hard to secure an autograph or selfie, with some even offering gifts. "We have seen homemade clothes, homemade dolls, pencil drawings, paintings (and) pen drawings for the players," C.J explained with a smile.
As veterans of security management - be that in tennis or at other events - C.J and Jay have developed their unique skills through years of experience. It follows that the security team have sage advice on etiquette for fans. "It's all about engaging at the right time," says Jay, explaining that the designated autograph zones are gratefully respected.
As the returning Rolex Shanghai Masters team members build friendships at the tournament, their familiar faces are also welcomed by players, coaches and international officials associated with the event.
And few faces are as welcoming, or familiar, as Alex Grabowsky.
The Transport Concierge has been heading up Rolex Shanghai Masters transportation since the tournament's inception, with his connection to the city stretching back to the days of the Tennis Masters Cup.
From early in the morning to late in the evening, Grabowsky ensures that players and other key contacts of the tournament are exactly where they need to be.
Typically, that means coordinating transportation - within the fleet of 95 luxury vehicles ranging from Mercedes S-Class Sedans to Sprinters - between the official tournament hotel and Qi Zhong Tennis Centre.
The Hamburg-based Grabowsky brings experience from similar roles at other global tournaments. "I do a lot of tournaments in Germany," explains Grabowsky, who also has Transport Concierge roles at Rome, the US Open and at the ATP Finals.
It means regularly reconnecting with the same tennis contacts - which Grabowsky especially loves to do in Shanghai. "I have so many people I love seeing again after all these years," he smiles. "Former players that are now coaches, media, people, tournament organisers. It feels like home."
There are clearly rich rewards in being part of the team that deliver the Rolex Shanghai Masters. "I just love being at the tournament," said Camilo. "It's a great experience. It's just very rewarding to be in this environment."
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