LONDON — Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner made quite the doorway on the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.

He stepped onto center court carrying a custom Gucci duffel bag featuring the home’s signature GG monogram with a green and red web stripe along along with his white Head tennis bag. His initials J.S. were marked against where the straps connect on brown leather.

That is the primary time a luxury bag has made an appearance on the famous green grass court at Wimbledon.

“Quite an announcement indeed,” Sinner told WWD ahead of his first match on the tournament against Argentinian player Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

“First time a high-end luxury luggage piece has been brought on court. The right bag needed to be large enough to carry all of the things I want with me on court and simple to hold at the identical time. Functionality was what we had in mind after we selected a duffel style with long comfortable straps,” he added, nodding to the bag as a “timeless classic” that’s inline with the games at Wimbledon, in addition to the history of the sport and “valuing traditions.”

It’s a Wimbledon custom that players wear white clothing and equipment. In keeping with the organization’s website, it states “white doesn’t include off white or cream.”

A spokesperson for Gucci said the brand worked with Sinner’s “team for the approvals from the ITF (International Tennis Federation), ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) and Grand Slams, including Wimbledon, to make sure the bag met the essential requirements.”

“Obviously this may create a conversation,” the 21-year-old player said.

“Bringing sport and luxury fashion together in this fashion is something that’s never been done before and I feel extremely proud to be an element of it. I hope people will like it as much as I do,” he continued.

Sinner became a Gucci ambassador last yr. It’s his first luxury fashion endorsement. He also has a 10-year cope with Nike, which, in keeping with reports, is value 150 million euros.

He turned skilled at 18 years old and is now currently ranked number eight on this planet.

“My favorite part is to compete on the largest stages and it doesn’t get much greater than playing on Centre Court at Wimbledon. Wimbledon is special, it’s different to every other tournament and has its own atmosphere,” said Sinner, who played Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic on the tennis court last yr.

“For each match I try to organize the identical, in fact each tournament is somewhat different but the main target stays the identical. I’ll prepare on court with my team before the match, then be certain that I eat some food and rest somewhat before I start the method to get able to exit on court. I think it’s essential to be consistent in what you do, simply because it’s Wimbledon it shouldn’t mean that it’s essential to change certain rituals and processes,” he added.

Last week, Gucci held a celebratory dinner for Sinner at Mount St. Restaurant in Mayfair. Guests including Emma Laird, Paapa Essiedu, Olympia of Greece, Pixie Geldof, Imogen Kwok and Jazzy de Lisser got here together for the pre-game celebrations.

“Gucci for me represents Italian excellence world wide, excellence which is rooted in tradition as much as in innovation. That is the sort of message I’m proud to convey once I represent my country wherever I’m on this planet,” Sinner said about what it means to be partnering with the Italian brand.