Jannik Sinner’s push for a third straight Australian Open title has come with an unexpected side story. As the Italian star rolled out a striking new Nike kit for the 2026 tournament, the look sparked instant discussion across the tennis world. Amid the noise, Sinner’s model girlfriend, Laila Hasanovic, quietly made her feelings known.
Jannik Sinner’s New Nike Kit Becomes an Unexpected Australian Open Talking Point
The Nike kit itself became a talking point almost as soon as Sinner stepped on court in Melbourne. As the two-time defending champion at the Australian Open, Sinner debuted a dramatic shift away from the fox imagery and carrot-toned accents that had long defined his on-court style.
His daytime look featured a dark mustard yellow, known internally as University Gold, paired with matching shorts and shoes. Under the lights for night sessions at Rod Laver Arena, the palette flipped to a deep olive green with mustard detailing. The change stood out even more as fans compared it to the outfits worn by rival Carlos Alcaraz, fueling debate about whether Sinner’s personal branding had been dialed back too far.
Criticism centered mainly on the color choice. Observers argued that the earth tones clashed with Sinner’s fair complexion and red hair, questioning Nike’s creative direction for one of its biggest tennis stars. While the discussion churned online, Sinner kept his focus on the court, where his results continued to justify his status as the tournament favorite. The Italian tennis star kicked off his seventh Melbourne campaign with a 6-2, 6-1 (walkover) win over Hugo Gaston.
How Did Laila Hasanovic Quietly Weigh In on the Nike Kit Conversation?
Off the court, Hasanovic added a lighthearted footnote to the conversation. In a recent TikTok, she wore a black top and beige mini skirt, prompting a user to joke that she should wear the outfit when marching into Nike headquarters to fix Sinner’s kits. Hasanovic did not respond publicly, but she liked the comment, a small gesture that fans quickly interpreted as a knowing nod to the ongoing kit drama.
Laila 💀 (siamo rimasti io e altri quattro gatti a difendere il suo kit) pic.twitter.com/Il8akgF9eO
— Ginevra (@Ginevrazg) January 20, 2026
Sinner and Hasanovic’s relationship had unfolded gradually, first sparking speculation in mid-2025 when fans noticed overlapping travel patterns during the summer hard-court season. They stayed silent through months of rumors, consistent with Sinner’s preference for keeping his personal life separate from his tennis career.
The relationship became clearer in October 2025 at the Vienna Open, when Sinner acknowledged Hasanovic after his title run, with her seated near his family. Since then, she has been a regular presence at major tournaments while continuing her modeling work, offering quiet support.
Looking ahead, Sinner will take on local wildcard James Duckworth in the second round. According to PFSN’s exclusive interactive simulator, Sinner is 97% likely to win the clash. This will be their fourth meeting on the ATP Tour, with the Italian holding a 2-1 lead in their head-to-head record. The winner of this match will face either Eliot Spizzirri or Chinese qualifier Wu Yibing in the third round.
