Jannik Sinner advanced to the US Open fourth round on Saturday after a comeback win over Denis Shapovalov, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, moving him closer to defending his title. The world No 1’s victory, however, drew as much attention for a moment off the court: a close-up of his phone wallpaper that fans believed showed Danish model Laila Hasanovic, triggering fresh speculation about a romance.
Hasanovic, 24, is the ex-girlfriend of former Formula One driver Mick Schumacher, with whom she was linked earlier this year. She has been a familiar presence in Sinner’s box at major events, including Wimbledon and Roland Garros, where she cheered him during his French Open final against Carlos Alcaraz in June. Sinner has been reticent about his private life, though he did acknowledge before the US Open that he was “in love” and didn’t want to discuss it.
Ahead of the Open, Italian reporters claimed he had been seen on a date in Copenhagen with Hasanovic, but Sinner dismissed the speculation, saying, “No, no, there was no girl. I had just some business with a couple of photo shootings there. That’s it. Nothing else.” The 24-year-old’s dating history has drawn plenty of attention in recent seasons, with previous relationships including fellow tennis player Anna Kalinskaya and later links to Russian model Lara Leito, a former partner of Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody.
The weekend moment at the phone’s wallpaper, however, dominated social media, with fans debating whether Hasanovic’s image was really the person on Sinner’s screen. Others celebrated the on-court result, noting Sinner’s ability to surge back after dropping the first set and maintain momentum to claim the win.
With the win, Sinner will face Alexander Bublik in the last 16 as he bids to defend the title he won last year. A portion of fans headed into the next match optimistic about his form, with one observer noting that Sinner appears to be “winning on and off the court.”
Editor’s note and context:
– The focus on a player’s private life is common for top stars, but what matters most is on-court performance. Sinner’s comeback win underscores his resilience and championship-caliber mindset as he pursues another deep run at Flushing Meadows.
– Hasanovic’s appearances in Sinner’s box at multiple Grand Slams and her high-profile connections have kept this storyline in the spotlight, even as Sinner navigates questions about his private life.
– The upcoming match against Bublik will be another test of Sinner’s form as he looks to defend his title. Fans will be watching not only for results but also for how he handles the attention off the court while maintaining his focus on the match.
Summary: Sinner’s victory over Shapovalov keeps him on track to defend his US Open title, while a social-media moment involving a wallpaper image has sparked ongoing chatter about his personal life. On the court, the focus remains on his next challenge against Bublik, where his championship poise will be tested once again. Positive note: the performance signals strong form as he continues his title defense.