Defending champion in the individual was Novak Đoković , who competed again this year and was able to defend his title. In the final, he defeated the Argentine Juan Martín del Potro in three sets. For Đoković, this was the fifth title this year and his 39th title in his career. In doubles, Leander Paes and Radek Štěpánek won the title last year. While Štěpánek did not take part in the tournament this year, Leander Paes played alongside Canadian Daniel Nestor and was eliminated in the round of 16. The tournament was won by Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo this year after a three-set win against the Spanish duo David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco .
The field of participants in the single competition consisted of 56 players, that of the doubles competition consisted of 24 pairs. The eight top seeded players in singles or pairings in doubles each got a bye into the second round.
Qualification for the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2013 took place from October 5th to 7th, 2013. Seven qualifying places were played, which entitle them to participate in the main draw of the tournament.
At the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2013, the following prize money and world ranking points were paid out or credited for reaching the respective round. Players who entered the main field from qualification received the specified qualification points in addition to those for reaching the respective round. Otherwise the amounts are not to be understood as cumulative. The amounts for the double competition were per player.