Stefanos Tsitsipas may have pulled out of the Shanghai Masters ahead of his second-round clash due to a leg injury, but don’t mistake that for a loss of confidence. The Greek star had arrived in Shanghai but pulled out following yet another physical setback in what has been a troubled season. The former World No. 3 holds a 22-18 record in 2025, highlighted by an ATP 500 title in Dubai and a handful of quarterfinal runs. However, the multiple-time Major finalist has struggled for momentum, failing to win consecutive matches since Barcelona in April. Still, World No. 25 somehow found a way to poke fun at the World No. 2 player.

On October 3, Ben Shelton missed a golden opportunity to boost his Turin hopes on his return to the Tour, falling to former World No. 7 David Goffin in the second round of the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The Belgian prevailed 6-2, 6-4 to claim his second Top 10 win of the season. Yet, it was Shelton’s spirited effort that caught Jannik Sinner’s eye, with the Italian unable to hide his admiration from the stands.

After the match, The Tennis Letter took to X and shared a clip from the encounter, captioning it, “Jannik Sinner’s reaction to a fantastic shot from David Goffin against Ben Shelton in Shanghai. Defending champion appreciating good tennis. 🦊” The post soon caught the attention of userThe Big Three, who reshared it with the witty remark, “Why is Shanghai the one tournament where other players are always watching in the stands?” That’s when Stefanos Tsitsipas joined the conversation, playfully ribbing Sinner by commenting, “They’re not watching tennis. They’re scouting for meme material.”

Tsitsipas’ quip was a tongue-in-cheek dig at the way players’ reactions from the stands often get turned into viral moments online. By saying they were “scouting for meme material,” he implied that players like Sinner might not just be appreciating the tennis but also enjoying the spectacle, perhaps anticipating how social media might spin their expressions into internet gold.

But really, why wouldn’t Jannik Sinner admire the contest? After all, Ben Shelton was returning to competition for the first time since being forced to retire during the third round of the US Open in August due to a left shoulder injury, an ordeal he described as “the worst ever pain in [my] life.” In his comeback, Shelton appeared a little off rhythm, tallying 22 unforced errors compared to Goffin’s 11.

Regardless, memes aside, Tsitsipas is already planning a major shift in his camp to come back stronger.

Stefanos Tsitsipas opens up on dad, eyes coaching revamp

After years of tension, Stefanos Tsitsipas recently shared that his relationship with his father, Apostolos, has evolved into a healthier and more balanced partnership, both personally and professionally. “We have changed our dynamic very much, and I’m very happy with the way we all cooperate and work together now,” Tsitsipas said, adding that it’s “exactly where I wanted it to be for a long time.” The Greek described their new bond as “refreshing” and something he’s proud of, as both have learned to adjust to each other’s needs.

Despite being open to new coaching additions, Stefanos Tsitsipas made it clear that his father remains at the heart of his team. He further spoke with deep respect about Apostolos’ long-standing experience in tennis, saying, “My dad has been on the tour for a lot of years, even dating back to my mother’s playing days.” He then emphasized their close bond, calling him “first of all, my father. Secondly, my coach,” highlighting how that order reflects their renewed understanding.

Looking to the future, Stefanos Tsitsipas said he wants to bring someone on board who can work alongside his father to strengthen the setup. “I would be interested in the future to add a person in my team that can collaborate and work with my dad,” he explained. Acknowledging that his father “is not getting younger,” Tsitsipas hopes to find the right person with “a clear, fresher mindset” who can complement their long-standing partnership and help ensure its sustainability. That said, can Stefanos Tsitsipas’ renewed partnership with his father help him rediscover his top form on tour? What do you think?