Marat Safin. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]

The 2023 Hangzhou International Tennis Tournament opened with a bang on June 22, local media outlets reported.

Former tennis legends Marat Safin and David Ferrer teamed up against Carlos Moya and Juan Martin del Potro in a thrilling doubles match.

The four former top-ranked players displayed their remarkable skills on the court, seemingly unaffected by the passing of time. The players were primarily known for their singles careers, so their impromptu pairing for a doubles match added an extra element of excitement.

A few days before the tournament, Safin shared a training video on his social media platform, jokingly saying, "I'm in great shape now, and I'll only show you my backhand training. My forehand is even more powerful."

Despite being retired for several years, Safin's playful and humorous personality remains unchanged, which continues to attract a large fan following.

Juan Martin del Potro. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]

Another player who made a surprising statement was Potro. He openly revealed that he is considering participating in this year's US Open, which he sees as the final stop of his professional career.

"I have had great success at the US Open before, and if my condition allows, it would be very meaningful for me to end my career there," expressed Potro. He mentioned that he currently has some minor injuries that require adjustments, and he will make the final decision in the coming weeks.

Both Safin and Moya visited China in 2015 and their return to Hangzhou after all these years filled them with excitement.

"I've been to Hangzhou before, but there's a new sports arena," Safin remarked. "Hangzhou has become more modern and will also host the Asian Games. I look forward to seeing more fans come to the venue to watch the matches."