What do Xi'an and the Tennis Master's Cup have in common? Several months ago this would have been a trick question. The answer today is the Terracotta Warriors. In an effort to establish a more indelible image of the tournament, Shanghai's TMC has given devoted fans a unique opportunity to get a sneak preview of their favorite athletes seen as never before–in the form of Terracotta-inspired sculptures.

"The idea of tying an iconic symbol of China in with the Tennis Master's Cup in Shanghai is a brilliant concept," says French sculptor Laury Dizengremel whose hands gave shape to the eight (tennis) Terracotta Warriors. She has been working on this project since the ATP London competition where the idea of bridging the gap between art and tennis was born. While the players have been busy securing themselves invitations to the TMC, Dizengremel has been hard at work. "It was really interesting for me to work out the best way to balance the heads with the bodies. Obviously the Terracotta Warriors are all very similar to each other. Here there's more variety–each warrior has to look like a tennis player," she says.

While her twenty-first century warriors have undoubtedly been the talk of the art and tennis world, the "Chosen Eight" are the most enthusiastic about the pieces. "It's [an] unbelievable honor to [be] cast as one of them. I saw a few already and they look great," says Ivan Ljubicic, the 28-year-old Croat tennis pro and veteran of this most prestigious tennis event. "The fact that we all need to travel [a] long way to get [to China] kind of represents the long way we have to go to qualify," says Ljubicic whose match in Paris will determine if he qualifies for this years' TMC.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, ranked third in the world, says seeing himself "as a Terracotta" tops all other experiences that await in Shanghai. "I'm really looking forward to seeing how I’m going to look in this sculpture. I think it's a good idea. Reaching the Master's Cup in Shanghai is a great achievement and seeing my head on the sculpture of a warrior is obviously a great thing." For the 20-year-old Serb, this prestigious tennis event signals his break into the top five and he has been anxiously anticipating its start. As Ljubicic explains though, "The fact that you are in Shanghai in November means that you are one of the very best players in the world and that says everything." And we thought they were just here for the sculptures and Shanghai's rockin' nightlife.

Hana Ilic

The Details

What:

Tennis Master's Cup

When:

Nov. 11-18

Where:

Qizhong Tennis Stadium

How:

See www.masters-cup.com for ticket details