With his action-packed play and charisma on the court, Ben Shelton has established himself as a fan favorite around the world on the ATP Tour. Still, it was his turn to take a step back and enjoy someone else’s fancy footwork on the court earlier this week at the Nitto ATP Finals.
As Shelton stepped out Sunday for his debut in the prestigious season finale against Alexander Zverev, he grabbed the hand of seven-year-old Gioele, one of the participants in this year’s Nitto Mascot Program. The pair walked across the court in front of a packed crowd at Inalpi Arena before reaching Shelton’s chair, after which Gioele promptly performed a series of dance moves, somewhat reminiscent of a player warming up before a match.
“I think no matter who he went out with, he would make those dance moves,” Shelton said with a smile when asked about the walk-on. “It’s cool. I love being able to inspire the next generation. The young kids you can influence are the fans I really want to see get excited about tennis.”
Watch: Shelton’s fun moment with Nitto mascot Gioele in Turin:
As in previous years, walk-on mascots like Gioele will escort players to the court for each singles match during the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals. The children are all from Casa UGI, a volunteer organization based in Turin that supports children battling cancer and their families, doctors, nurses and volunteers. The participating children have struggled with an illness or have a family member who is dealing with it.
As an elite athlete, Shelton recognizes the importance of inspiring kids, both with his performance on the court and the way he interacts with them without a racket in hand. The 23-year-old called his fun moment with Gioele a great example of the positive experiences sports can provide to younger fans.
“It’s cool to see that the fan base we have in our sport is getting younger and younger,” Shelton said. “That was definitely a very special moment. Every time I interact with kids who are excited during tournaments or practices, wherever it is, it makes me happy.”
Professore Enrico Pira, Presidente UGI – Unione Genitori Italiani contro il tumore dei bambini ODV, said: “This year, thanks to Nitto, our children once again received an invaluable experience – a moment of lightness and joy that lifts their spirits, renews their energy and reminds them that hope can shine even in the most difficult moments.”
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