Jannik Sinner will kick off his Shanghai title defence in the pursuit of clinching his fifth ATP Masters 1000 crown.
The Italian claimed the trophy last year after an incredible campaign, in which he earned straight-set victories over Ben Shelton and Daniil Medvedev en route to the final.
In the championship match, Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic for the fourth time in his career, winning 7-6, 6-3 against the Serb to secure the title.
A year after his maiden triumph in Shanghai, a statue of the world number two has been unveiled on site at the event.
Jannik Sinner reacts to his new statue at the Shanghai Masters
When asked if his reaction to the statue was pride, pressure, or just a smile, Sinner responded: “I think it’s more just a smile.
“It’s very strange to see for me, I’m just 24 years old and seeing a statue at one of the biggest events we play in.
“I would have never thought to see a statue of mine here at this court, so it’s more like a mix of happy and proud to see that I have a statue here.”
He continued: “I just would like people to see me not only as a good tennis player, but also as a good person.
“Someone who has never changed with the success he had, and just putting always the people I love and the family in first place because tennis is gonna stop at some point.
“I’m very young to say that, but it’s going to stop, and the people around you are going to carry you on for the whole life. So, just this kind of legacy, just for a normal person who is just a good tennis player.”
Jannik Sinner’s first opponent at the 2025 Shanghai Masters
After receiving a first-round bye, Sinner will face Daniel Altmaier in his opening match at the Shanghai Masters.
He has played the German twice before, with their first tour-level meeting coming in the first round of the 2022 US Open, which went five sets.
Sinner emerged victorious at Flushing Meadows, but in their second and most recent clash in 2023, Altmaier came out on top.
He beat the four-time major champion in the second round of Roland Garros that year, triumphing in another five-set marathon between the two.
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