How grand slam champ Jannik Sinner became a style icon: from flaunting his custom Gucci bag at Wimbledon to Italian chic in tailored jackets, and fashion shoots … he’s also a mental health advocate

Feb 6 , 2024

Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner is capturing hearts in the fashion world too. Photo: @janniksin/Instagram

In the constellation of sports celebs, there’s one star whose Italian heritage may come as a revelation to many: Jannik Sinner.

Now positioned as the world’s No 4, this prodigious 22-year-old talent has not only put Italy on the tennis map, but has also transcended the realm of sport to become a style icon: the Australian Open winner is considered one of the most fashionable grand slam champions nowadays.

But just how did he get to where he is today?

Tennis champions can be fashionistas too, as Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner is proving. Photo: @janniksin/Instagram

Jannik Sinner’s tennis journey

Jannik Sinner is a native of Italy. Photo: @janniksin/Instagram

Sinner hails from the small Italian town of San Candido, nestled near Austria and Germany. His journey to tennis stardom began on the ski slopes. Initially groomed for alpine skiing, Sinner switched to tennis at the age of 13, and since then, his ascension in the professional tennis circuit has been nothing short of meteoric – by 2019, the Association of Tennis Professionals had already recognised him as the newcomer of the year.

How NBA millionaire, Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, makes and spends his cash

He’s also a fashion darling

Jannik Sinner is making his mark as a style icon. Photo: @janniksin/Instagram

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Sinner is often seen at runway shows, engaging with top designers and staying ahead of trends. Off the court, he embodies Italian chic, favouring layers and impeccably tailored jackets. His frequent appearances in fashion magazines and cover stories, including titles like Interview Magazine, GQ, and Icon, highlight how seamlessly high fashion complements his persona.

Jannik Sinner regularly appears in fashion magazine shoots. Photo: @janniksin/Instagram

His love for Gucci

Jannik Sinner carried a Gucci duffel bag to Wimbledon’s Centre Court. Photo: @janniksin/Instagram

When Sinner entered Wimbledon’s Centre Court in 2023, he wasn’t just another tennis player adhering to the traditional all-white dress code. He turned heads by clutching a custom-made monogrammed Gucci duffel bag, establishing himself as a trailblazer at the intersection of luxury fashion and sports.

7 of the richest NHL hockey players – net worths, ranked

Jannik Sinner is a Gucci collaborator. Photo: @janniksin/Instagram

His partnership with Gucci led to a profile feature in “A Hero’s Journey”, a collaborative series by Gucci and GQ Sports that profiles modern sports icons.

He’s a mental health advocate

Jannik Sinner champions mental health for athletes. Photo: @janniksin/Instagram

Sinner is a vocal advocate for mental wellness in athletics, championing the belief that ambition and success should not undermine an athlete’s mental health.

This belief led him to launch a mental health initiative during the challenging times of the 2020 pandemic. What’s Kept You Moving is a platform where Sinner and other young athletes share their experiences and strategies for overcoming adversity, per Sportskeeda.

Fame and celebrity

Initially groomed to be an alpine skier, the Australian Open winner switched to tennis when he was 13 and, in just six years, was named by the ATP as newcomer of the year
Carrying a Gucci duffel bag to Wimbledon’s Centre Court in 2023, Sinner stuck with the typical all-white dress code, but showed himself to be a trailblazer in sports fashion