Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1 and defending US Open champion, has dismissed romance rumors linking him to Danish model Laila Hasanovic after a photo on his phone’s lock screen fueled speculation during the US Open 2025 in New York. The rumors emerged following Sinner’s third-round victory over Denis Shapovalov on August 30, 2025, when eagle-eyed fans spotted what appeared to be Hasanovic’s image on his phone as he unlocked it courtside (tennis365.com, August 31, 2025). Despite confirming he is in a new relationship, Sinner downplayed the speculation, stating, “No, no, there was no girl. I had just some business with a couple of photo shoots there. That’s it. Nothing else” (dailymail.co.uk, August 31, 2025). This article explores Sinner’s response, the context of the rumors, his on-court performance, and how fans in the UK, USA, Australia, and Nigeria can follow his US Open campaign, as of 11:31 AM WAT, Monday, September 1, 2025.
Sinner Addresses the Rumors
After his 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over Shapovalov, Sinner was filmed unlocking his phone, and a zoomed-in image circulating online led fans to believe the lock screen featured Laila Hasanovic, a 24-year-old Danish model and influencer with over 350,000 Instagram followers (gbnews.com, August 31, 2025). The sighting sparked a frenzy, especially as Hasanovic had been spotted in Sinner’s player box at Wimbledon and Roland Garros earlier in 2025, fueling speculation of a romance (dailymail.co.uk, August 31, 2025). Italian media further stoked the rumors, citing Sinner’s recent trip to Copenhagen, Hasanovic’s hometown, as evidence of a relationship (tennis365.com, August 31, 2025).
Sinner, known for guarding his private life, firmly denied the Copenhagen rumors in a press conference, saying, “No, no, there was no girl. I had just some business with a couple of photo shoots there. That’s it. Nothing else” (dailymail.co.uk, August 31, 2025). However, he had previously confirmed to Corriere Della Sera that he is in a new relationship, stating, “Yes, but we don’t talk about our private life” (@Guidolino8, August 23, 2025). This ambiguity led to mixed fan reactions, with @sportskeeda tweeting, “Jannik Sinner’s phone screen sparks Laila Hasanovic rumors, but he’s keeping it private. Romantic or not? 😏 #USOpen” (August 31, 2025).
Context: Sinner’s Private Life and Past Relationships
The 24-year-old Italian has consistently emphasized privacy, telling Vanity Fair Italia in 2024, “I want to protect the people closest to me, keeping them out of this” (parade.com, August 26, 2025). Sinner’s dating history has drawn attention due to his status as tennis’ top-ranked player. He previously dated fellow tennis pro Anna Kalinskaya, confirming their relationship in May 2024, but they split by November 2024 after Kalinskaya was absent from his matches in Turin (people.com, May 8, 2025). Earlier, Sinner was linked to Italian model Maria Braccini (2020-2024) and briefly to Russian model Lara Leito in April 2025, though he denied the latter (dailymail.co.uk, April 30, 2025).
Hasanovic, the ex-girlfriend of former Formula 1 driver Mick Schumacher, was reportedly seen cheering Sinner at the French Open final in June 2025, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz (news.mogaznews.com, August 31, 2025). Fans on X seized on the phone photo, with one writing, “Him having his gf’s pic as wallpaper… and they say he’s not a romantic man” (sportskeeda.com, August 31, 2025). Another quipped, “Goodbye Jannik Sinner in his single era, you were bigger than the whole sky” (dailymail.co.uk, August 31, 2025). Despite the buzz, Sinner’s focus remains on tennis, as he reiterated, “You know my confidentiality” (tennis365.com, August 31, 2025).
Sinner’s US Open Performance
Sinner’s third-round win over Shapovalov kept his title defense alive, as he overcame a set deficit to advance to the fourth round against Alexander Bublik on September 1, 2025 (usopen.org, August 31, 2025). His performance featured measured baseline play and clinical serving, with 13 wins in his last 14 matches at Flushing Meadows (gbnews.com, August 31, 2025). Sinner reflected, “It was a very tough match today. I just tried to stay there mentally” (sportskeeda.com, August 31, 2025). Despite recent doping controversies, which prompted Novak Djokovic to question his world No. 1 status, Sinner’s form remains strong, with three Grand Slam titles (2024-2025 Australian Open, 2024 US Open) and a 20-4 record at majors (atptour.com, August 30, 2025).
Fan and Media Reactions
The phone photo incident ignited social media. @josemorgado tweeted, “Sinner’s lock screen has everyone talking! Laila Hasanovic? He’s not spilling the tea! 🍵 #USOpen” (August 31, 2025). Tennis365.com noted, “Sinner’s private life is a bigger story in Italy than his tennis, but he’s keeping it locked down” (August 31, 2025). Fans were divided, with @TennisFanatic tweeting, “Jannik says no romance, but that phone pic says otherwise! Let the man live! 😍 #USOpen” (August 31, 2025). The Daily Mail wrote, “Sinner’s wallpaper moment stole headlines, but his tennis proves he’s focused” (August 31, 2025).
Looking Ahead
Jannik Sinner’s dismissal of romance rumors with Laila Hasanovic keeps his private life under wraps, but his on-court focus is unwavering as he battles for a second US Open title. His fourth-round clash with Bublik, who holds a 2-1 head-to-head edge, promises intensity, with a potential quarterfinal against Daniil Medvedev or Carlos Alcaraz looming (tennis365.com, August 31, 2025). Fans are buzzing, with @WTAFanatic tweeting, “Sinner’s dodging the gossip but not the forehands! Let’s go, Jannik! 🇮🇹 #USOpen” (August 31, 2025). For updates, visit usopen.org, atptour.com, or tennis.com, and follow @usopen or @janniksin on X. As Sinner navigates media scrutiny and tough opponents, his quest for glory remains the main story.
