LONDON — Jannik Sinner, currently the world’s number-one tennis player in the ATP rankings and Gucci‘s global brand ambassador since 2022, was the center of attention of an intimate dinner hosted by Salma Hayek-Pinault at Claridge’s restaurant on Monday night.
Hours before the dinner, the Kering-owned luxury brand unveiled its latest Made in Italy campaign in which Sinner, dressed in a pristine white suit, stands in front of a green and red background — the brand’s signature color combo — while striking a pose reminiscent of him swinging a racket on a tennis court.
For the dinner, which doubled as a celebration of his sixth consecutive return to the Wimbledon tournament, as well as the campaign launch, the Italian tennis player opted for a more casual look in black.
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Speaking to WWD, Sinner said he went “a bit more creative than usual” for the campaign shoot.
“We tried to combine the colors and with a little bit of movement, it turned out that it was the best thing to do,” he said.
Sinner also said he personally really likes the direction Demna is taking with Gucci. “It’s something that you can wear daily, you know, the stuff that he makes. I think it is very, very important that it’s for every age,” he continued.
The tennis player then hinted at how he plans to bring Gucci to Wimbledon this year.
“I have a beautiful Gucci bag coming with me every time, which has become a lucky charm. Also, I think it’s all about having a good, good mix of everything, you know, which is important for me, and I think Gucci is doing very well,” he said.
With Wimbledon looming, preparation was also top of mind.
“I am doing a lot of physical training, very tough and long days. It was not easy preparation, but I’m happy the way I am at the moment. In good shape, and I’m very looking forward to,” he said.
On adjusting to the warm U.K. conditions — weather similar to that badly affected him at the French Open in Paris last month — he added, “It is important to get used to the conditions. We had very long days of trying to get the body going for hours and hours on board. So, at the moment, I feel very well.”
The evening drew a cross-section of Gucci friends and rising talents, enjoying Champagne and cocktails and dishes including cucumber gazpacho, grilled Dover sole and lemon sorbet.
Alongside Hayek Pinault, who donned a leopard print gown from the pre-fall 2026 Gucci collection with a Horsebit 1955 bag, and her daughter Valentina Pinault, guests included Naomi Ackie, Sabine Getty, Kaytranada, Fabien Frankel, Lila Moss, Ledbyher, Alton Mason, Maria Olympia of Greece, Nia Smith and Saura Lightfoot Leon, many of whom wore Demna’s ultra sensual Gucci looks for the occasion.
The Claridge’s dinner adds to a packed London social calendar for Hayek-Pinault. On Tuesday night, she will cohost this year’s Serpentine summer party, alongside fellow Mexican Academy Award winners Alfonso Cuarón and Alejandro González Iñárritu.
