World no. 2 Jannik Sinner received a special honor at the Shanghai Masters ahead of his first match. The defending champion unveiled a terracotta statue, with the organizers commemorating his last year's triumph.
The Italian returns to the most notable Asian tournament as the favorite to defend the title, lifting a trophy in Beijing on Wednesday and hoping to chase valuable ATP Race points in Shanghai.
Ahead of his on-court duties, the 24-year-old was greeted with a tribute that combined sporting excellence with cultural tradition. Judged by video, Sinner enjoyed every moment of it!
Immortalising our 2024 champion with his very own terracotta statue 😍@janniksin #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/Xx2lFGYhZJ
— Rolex Shanghai Masters (@SH_RolexMasters) October 2, 2025
The statue, modeled after China's historic Terracotta Army, represents Jannik's composure, discipline and fighting spirit that have defined his rise to the top of men's tennis in 2024 and 2025.
The San Candido native has been the most consistent player in the previous two seasons, collecting 65 weeks on the ATP throne and four Major crowns. He has stood as an unsolved mystery for anyone not named Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner's new statue captures the 24-year-old's demeanor and powerful presence on the court. He stood alongside the sculpture while the unveiling, smiling as fans and organizers applauded his continued success.
Learnen Tien & Jannik Sinner, Beijing 2025© Stream screenshot
Jannik has enjoyed three great seasons in China, with his influence and admiration growing among the fans. His terracotta statue now stands as a symbol of excellence and respect.
Sinner's success in Shanghai came over the four-time champion, Novak Djokovic. Two great rivals met in the title clash, with the Italian scoring a 7-6, 6-3 triumph for his first success at this event.
Jannik served well and kept the pressure on Novak. The veteran fought well in the opener before losing it in the tie break. The younger player grabbed one break in the second set and emerged at the top to lift a trophy.
Without Carlos Alcaraz in the draw, Sinner is the favorite to defend his crown and complete a perfect Chinese swing.
