Jannik Sinner has revisited the mountains that shaped his early athletic life as the face of Gucci Altitude, the fashion house’s first winter sportswear collection. The campaign pairs Gucci’s signature styling with performance equipment from Head, arriving ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February 2026.

For the shoot, Sinner wore a snow jacket printed with Gucci’s monogram and used a helmet and ski set accented by the brand’s Web stripe, gear developed in collaboration with Head. The partnership between the two companies is familiar territory for the athlete; Gucci and Head previously worked together on Sinner’s signature white duffel bag.

“It was a very special and unique shoot in the heart of the mountains. I have always loved the mountains and this shoot took place in an incredible setting,” the Italian tells GQ. “Gucci comes up with amazing ideas every time, but in this case it was something really magical, an experience I will never forget.”

No stunt double was required. Sinner has skied since age 3 and was raised in South Tyrol in the Dolomites, where his parents worked at a ski resort. He showed early promise on snow, winning a Junior National Championship in Giant Slalom at age 7 and finishing runner-up nationally at 11. He gave up skiing for tennis at 13 and went on to reach the summit of his sport.

“I was winning a lot when I was young in skiing, and in tennis I never won,” he told Vogue in 2024. “And then slowly I started to lose in skiing, because physically I was not ready to compete. I was always quite skinny and everything.

“The reason why I chose tennis was, in tennis you can make mistakes. You can lose points, but you can still win the match. In skiing, if you make one mistake, one big mistake, you cannot win.”

A global ambassador for Gucci since 2022, Sinner has appeared in several of the brand’s campaigns, including “Gucci is a feeling” and last year’s holiday campaign. On the court he has become one of the game’s leading figures: a four-time Grand Slam champion and two-time Davis Cup winner.

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Manufacturers often reserve the loudest marketing for a few headline models. Here are six lesser-promoted racquets that borrow much of the same DNA and deliver useful performance for players who value control, feel and playability.

Babolat Pure Strike 100 (16×20)
This entry to the Pure Strike line favors temperate response over raw power. A conservative string pattern, a low RA rating (61) and a light swingweight (319) give it a softer, classic feel that differs from typical Babolat models. It is plush and accurate for strategic all-court players, though more advanced hitters may add weight to generate and handle heavier shots. The frame is presented in a sharp carbon grey cosmetic.

Dunlop CX 400 Tour
Despite the Tour label and control positioning, this frame is approachable. It produces pace and depth with modest effort while offering greater command than many similarly spec’d racquets. The balance of firm yet comfortable response and well-rounded playability lets players attack from all areas of the court. Power and spin are slightly restrained compared with some rivals, and a limited-edition cosmetic nods to the classic Max 200G.

Tecnifibre T-Fight 300
A new spec in the T-Fight family, the 300 pairs a 100 square-inch head with a 300g weight. The racquet is lively and highly maneuverable, with foam filling in the frame creating a crisp, clean feel at contact. It offers more assistance than a pure control frame without becoming overpowering. The constant beam is not overly stiff or thick, and the model is available in standard white or a special blue “ID” colorway.

Volkl Vostra V9 (305g)
The new Vostra V9 mold sits between the V8 and V10 lines. An extra cross string and a thinner beam increase control and versatility relative to the V8, while a larger head size and slightly thicker beam make it more user friendly than the V10. The result is a predictable, forgiving frame that provides enough pop to finish points or escape trouble without becoming hard to manage.

Wilson RF 01
Though Roger Federer is associated with the RF 01 Pro, the lighter RF 01 has broader appeal. Federer’s design emphasis on rapid acceleration shows in the tapered beam that helps generate pace and spin from a conservatively spaced string bed and a relatively small sweet spot. Directional control and feel on clean contact are strong, and the racquet excels when played on the front foot by experienced, all-court players.

Yonex EZONE 98 Tour
The EZONE 98 Tour appears on this list by name as another under-the-radar option worth noting.

The Blackout 300 v2 is a focused update that smooths and stabilizes Solinco’s power-oriented design without dulling its bite. The head is filled with a PU-density foam called Foam Tech Core to reduce vibration and sharpen impact feel, while a new Arch-2 Construction carbon fiber layup stiffens the frame’s composure at higher ball speeds. The frame also adopts a Tiger Camo paint job inspired by gaming skins. Returning elements include 40T Carbon Fiber, Liquid Crystal Technology and the Weight Control Module with interchangeable 5-gram and 10-gram butt-cap plates to dial weight and balance.

Construction changes yield a more dependable, player-friendly experience. A reduction in frame stiffness tempers peak power, so serves and groundstrokes require a touch more effort to reach top velocity, but the tradeoff is greater command and fewer runaway errors. There remains a healthy energy transfer into shots, yet the overall package encourages controlled aggression. “Power? Yep. Spin? Yep. Easy to pick up and play? Yep. An excellent stick—right down to the paint job.”Tester Comment

Foam injected throughout the thicker beam gives the Blackout a richer sound and a more connected feel at impact, a treatment more commonly found in thinner, control-oriented models like Solinco’s Whiteout. That internal damping, combined with the softer flex, raises comfort and helps address arm-abuse concerns while preserving a firm playing character. Despite the foam, static weight, swingweight and balance remain essentially unchanged, and the racquet keeps a relatively head-light balance that aids defense and quick reactions.

The open 16×19 pattern pairs well with a shaped poly such as Solinco’s Hyper-G, making spin generation straightforward. Arch-2 Construction improves steadiness on heavy incoming balls, helping returns sit up with pace and direction rather than buckling. The Bryan Brothers endorse the Blackout v2. Net play benefits from the frame’s stability and ability to redirect pace, while delicate slices and low mid-court chops reveal minor limitations in producing very fine touch.