Roger Federer doesn’t like to change hitting partners, and that's one reason why Zhu Delong became his go-to guy in Shanghai.
Zhu, 27, is a former professional player, and the official practice partner of the ATP Shanghai Rolex Masters. He quit competitive tennis in 2013 to further his education.
Since 2014, he has practiced with and warmed-up players like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, John Isner and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
This week, with Federer out for the remainder of the season, Zhu has only positive memories of working with the Swiss two years ago.
"Federer is undoubtedly the favorite of Shanghai fans," he said. "The practice court at Qizhong is usually packed two hours before his practice session."
Federer is actually the first player Zhu hit with, and it happened to be the year Federer won the Shanghai title.
“We met at Jing’an Indoor Stadium,” Zhu recalled. “He came out of the elevator and shook hands with me, saying, 'Hi, I’m Roger Federer.'"
It didn’t take long for the 17-time grand slam champion to win Zhu over.
"To be frank, he was not one of my favorite players before. But after getting to know him, I have to say he is elegant and gentle in every way," Zhu said. "He is perfect."
While Zhu is generally not permitted to ask for player autographs or pictures and he doesn't get paid, he does get to work with—and learn from—some of the greatest players of our time.