Jannik Sinner may be the world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, but his approach to life off the court is as captivating as his dominance on it. With the 2025 US Open underway, Sinner’s unique blend of intensity, curiosity, and balance is once again in the spotlight—alongside the rise of American star Ben Shelton, who’s eager to make his own mark at Flushing Meadows.
Let’s start with Sinner, the 24-year-old Italian sensation who has rapidly become the gold standard in men’s tennis. Since claiming the 2024 US Open title, Sinner has not only climbed to the No. 1 spot but also redefined what it means to be a champion in the modern era. Yet, for all his on-court ferocity, Sinner’s secret to staying grounded is remarkably simple: LEGO.
“I got into Lego… in the evening, for example, I’m building Legos,” Sinner said ahead of the US Open, describing how he unwinds amidst the relentless grind of the ATP Tour. He recently completed a Porsche LEGO set in just five hours and is already eyeing a more ambitious build. “I went in and I bought a Porsche and I finished it in one day—it was five hours, so I was like, I need a bigger one. And I think my gut feeling is that this one is too big, but let’s see. It’s nice because I put music on and think about something else.”
For Sinner, these quiet moments are essential. “Being a tennis player or being an athlete, you have so many thoughts in your head all the time, also pressure,” he explained. “But in the evening it’s nice to be there.”
That search for calm outside the chaos of the tennis circuit has shaped Sinner’s rise. He’s not one for social media distractions, preferring to leave that world to his team. “I don’t like to stay on the phone, or I’m trying to have the least amount possible,” he admitted. “I have my social media guy who makes everything. I just have the most important people on WhatsApp.” Instead, he fills his downtime with books, music, and, of course, LEGO sets. It’s a routine that keeps his mind sharp and his spirit refreshed, even as he circles the globe for tournaments.
Despite his jet-setting lifestyle, Sinner’s curiosity about the world remains undimmed. “I would say Iceland. It sounds different,” he said when asked about dream destinations. “I’ve seen beautiful pictures and I just want to check if it’s really like this or not. And I would love to go on Safari in Africa. I’ve never been.” Both trips are firmly at the top of his bucket list. Closer to home, his adopted city of Monaco holds a special place in his heart. He fondly recalls tracing the iconic Formula 1 route through the city and cherishes the view from a hidden spot just outside the principality: “You see the whole of Monaco, it’s beautiful when the sun goes down and it has very nice lights.”
That balance of intensity and tranquility has also led Sinner to a new role off the court. Just before this year’s US Open, he was announced as the brand ambassador for Explora Journeys, a luxury ocean travel line. The partnership is more than a business arrangement for Sinner; it’s a personal adventure. “It’s something new, you know, and I like new things,” he said. “One of my dreams was to go on a ship to see how it is. But mostly I’m very happy to be in this family. I feel like I’m very privileged and honored because not many people are there, but also that they’re very similar to how I am as a person.”
In this ambassador role, Sinner will appear in brand campaigns, co-create onboard experiences such as wellness rituals, and even advise on gyms, training facilities, and nutrition for guests. He will also sport the Explora Journeys logo during tournaments, blending his athletic identity with the world of luxury travel. According to Explora Journeys, Sinner’s involvement “brings a new dimension to our brand, reflecting our commitment to excellence and personal growth.”
But while Sinner continues to set the pace at the top of men’s tennis, Ben Shelton is making his own waves. At just 22, Shelton is already ranked No. 6 in the world—a meteoric rise that has American fans dreaming of another Grand Slam champion. Shelton’s 2025 season has been defined by big moments and even bigger serves. He reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, only falling to Sinner, who would go on to win the title. Now, at the US Open, Shelton is hoping to build on that momentum.
Shelton kicked off his Flushing Meadows campaign with a solid win over Ignacio Buse, notching 5 aces, 3 double faults, converting 4 of 13 break points, and winning 100 points overall. While it wasn’t a textbook performance, it was more than enough to advance. Shelton also enjoyed a stint in the mixed doubles event the previous week, looking relaxed and at ease on the New York stage.
His father and coach, Bryan Shelton, believes the next step in Ben’s evolution is learning from the very best—including Sinner himself and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz. “For Ben, it’s learning how to anticipate on the court. I feel like the best players in the world understand where to position themselves at all times. They see what’s going to come before it happens,” Bryan Shelton told the Tennis Insider Club podcast. “They’re already moving to the next position, you know, when they make a certain type of shot, the most likely place the ball will be after that and they’re in the position to make that play. They read it and they see it. I think Alcaraz and Sinner, and these guys as well, at the top, they see the game, they’re very fast and they move very well, but they also anticipate extremely well.”
It’s a family affair for the Sheltons, and the prospect of Ben winning a major title with his dad in his corner is tantalizing for American tennis fans. Given Shelton’s age and his powerful serve, the consensus is that his best days are still ahead. If he continues to learn from the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz, big titles could be just around the corner.
As the 2025 US Open unfolds, all eyes are on these two stars—Sinner, the composed champion who finds balance in the smallest details, and Shelton, the hungry challenger eager to crack the code at the highest level. Whether it’s LEGO bricks or lightning-fast serves, it’s clear that both players are building something special. The action in New York is just heating up, and with so much talent and ambition on display, fans can expect plenty more twists before the final curtain falls at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
