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Why Jannik Sinner was spotted watching Ben Shelton’s latest match at the Shanghai Masters

Originally posted on HITC | By Guadalupe Carniel | Last updated Oct 4, 2025 9:41 AM ET

There might be a good reason why several stars, including Jannik Sinner, were spotted watching matches from the stands.

Shelton’s surprising defeat to David Goffin had Sinner, Francisco Comesana, Flavio Cobolli, and Arthur Rinderknech among those watching from the seats.

The Shanghai Masters has gained a reputation for attracting big names into the crowd, with Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz all spotted taking in matches during Sinner’s run last year.

There could be a straightforward explanation for why so many top players decide to join fans in the stands during matches.

Possible reasons for Sinner’s presence at the Ben Shelton match

The Shanghai Masters stands out on the ATP Tour for a few reasons, and some of them affect who ends up sitting in the stands.

Players stay at an off-site hotel during the tournament, so many of them remain around the venue after finishing their training sessions.

Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Getting back and forth between the hotel and training courts isn’t quick. The travel time keeps most players on site throughout the day.

The main gym is also located close to Centre Court, making it easy for players to drop in and catch some of the action between their own routines.

This setup has become a defining feature of the event over time, helping to create that particular atmosphere that fans now expect from Shanghai every year.

Shanghai Masters slows down court speed in 2025

Humidity has been a challenge at this year’s Shanghai Masters, adding to the list of adjustments players are having to make.

Conditions are slow #shanghai pic.twitter.com/Ni63cVxLUR
— Gaelen (@GaelenBet) October 2, 2025

The tournament was once known as one of the fastest on the calendar, but that reputation isn’t holding up this year.

This year, though, the court pace index is down to 32.9, making it noticeably slower than in past tournaments.

It’s part of a wider trend across the ATP Tour, where several events have opted for slower playing surfaces in recent years. The Shanghai Masters now appears to be following suit.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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