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 had a bye in the first round.
Qualification for the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2014 took place on October 4th and 5th, 2014. Seven qualifying places were played, which entitle them to participate in the main draw of the tournament.
At the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2014, 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 apply per player.