Defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner has caused a stir before even hitting a ball in anger at Melbourne Park, with his vibrant new Nike kit dividing tennis fans worldwide.
A Colourful Start to the Title Defence
The Italian world number two, who begins his title defence against Frenchman Hugo Gaston on Tuesday evening at Rod Laver Arena, turned heads during an exhibition match last week. Facing Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime, Sinner stepped onto the court in a head-to-toe mustard yellow ensemble that immediately dominated conversation.
Sinner dominated the exhibition, winning 6-4, 4-6, 10-4 in just under two hours, but his attire was the undisputed main event. The outfit comprised a bright yellow t-shirt with a white Nike swoosh on the left chest. His shorts featured an asymmetrical design, with a yellow stripe down the right leg and a hemlock-coloured base on the left.
The colour theme extended to his footwear, where he sported bright yellow trainers with black socks and a black hat. Nike added a unique detail to the shoes: a silver badge stitched onto the tongue embossed with the words 'Champion, Arrived Jan 2025, Melbourne Park'.
Fan Reaction: From 'Outrageous' to 'Sunflower'
The reaction on social media platform X was swift and polarised. Well-known tennis writer Pavvy G labelled the kit "ludicrous," while fans quickly piled in with their own assessments.
One fan joked that Sinner was "looking like a sunflower in this kit," while another declared, "They did him dirty with this one." Criticism was blunt, with comments like "God it's awful" and "I've never seen something this bad!" prompting some to suggest the 24-year-old should refuse to wear it. Another quipped, "That outfit doesn't cut the mustard."
However, not all feedback was negative. Some supporters argued the bold colourway suited the Italian. "Honey mustard yellow suits him very well and it's my fav colour soooo," one fan countered, showing that fashion in tennis remains subjective.
When asked about having input on the design, Sinner saw the funny side. "Next year I have a little bit more of a say in the colours," he joked. He confirmed it was his day session outfit and that a separate night session kit was waiting, adding, "I hope I can wear both. It means I will go further in the tournament."
Sinner's Title Doubts Amidst Strong Form
Beyond the fashion debate, Sinner admitted to feeling some nerves about his bid for a third consecutive Australian Open crown, despite arriving in superb form. He wrapped up 2024 with a victory at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin in November.
"It's going to be very difficult to get back there, but I'm going to put myself in the game," the Italian said candidly. "I know that I've practiced very well. The off-season was great. Physically, I feel good. You start the season by having some doubts, which is normal - but at the same time, there's also a lot of confidence because of certain results I've had in the past."
The opening day of the tournament saw record crowds, with 100,763 fans packing into Melbourne Park. Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz both advanced in straight sets on a night where tennis legends Rod Laver and Roger Federer were in attendance. Sabalenka, the defending women's champion, confessed to extra nerves knowing the icons were watching.
In other notable results, last year's runner-up to Sinner, Alexander Zverev, recovered from a slow start to beat Gabriel Diallo. Meanwhile, 45-year-old Venus Williams made history as the oldest ever player in the women's singles draw at the Australian Open, though she fell in a dramatic three-set match after leading 4-0 in the decider.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether Sinner's powerful game can outshine his eye-catching kit, as he aims to navigate a tough draw and keep both his day and night session outfits in rotation deep into the fortnight.
