The reason for several stars watching the tennis in the stands, including Jannik Sinner, might have been revealed.
Ben Shelton’s shocking loss to David Goffin saw the likes of Sinner, Francisco Comesana, Flavio Cobolli, and Arthur Rinderknech in the stands for the match.
The Shanghai Masters has become famous for top stars watching the event alongside the crowd, with Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz spectating during Sinner’s matches last year.
There might be a simple reason why so many high-profile stars enter the arena to watch along with the fans.
Two reasons why Jannik Sinner might have been watching Ben Shelton at the Shanghai Masters
The Shanghai Masters is a unique event on the ATP Tour for several reasons and they might affect the people in attendance.
The players are situated at a hotel off site at the event, meaning plenty of the stars stick around after their preparations are complete.
It would take hours for players to dash back and forth from their hotels to the training courts, meaning players stay on site throughout the day.
Additionally, the player gym is in close to the Shanghai Masters main court, allowing players can quite easily check in to see how players are progressing.
Over the years, it’s become the Shanghai Masters’ unique selling point, and it continues at the 2025 tournament.
The Shanghai Masters has made one major change in 2025
The conditions at the Shanghai Masters have been tricky to say the least, with the humidity causing issues for players.
The Asian tournament has previously been regarded as one of the quickest on tour, but that has changed in 2025.
This year’s event has a court pace index of 32.9, meaning it is actually far slower than it’s been in previous years.
Many of the courts on the ATP Tour have slowed down in recent years, and the Shanghai Masters has seemingly followed suit.
