Ben Rothenberg, one of the most prominent tennis journalists in the USA, recently expressed his views on Jannik Sinner’s Nike attire at the 2025 Australian Open. The American believes that Nike did a disservice to the World No. 1 while disagreeing with his outfit colors during his Melbourne campaign thus far.

Sinner, who is looking to defend his 2024 Australian Open crown this fortnight, reached the third round of the tournament on Thursday (January 16), albeit with his share of hiccups. Playing against local favorite Tristan Schoolkate, the Italian dropped the opening set before launching a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 comeback victory in around three hours.

As the second-round action unfolded at the Rod Laver Arena, tennis insider Ben Rothenberg also watched on and had a few critiques to offer, none of which were related to the top seed’s on-court performance. Instead, his Nike outfit drew Rothenberg’s ire.

The American went as far as to suggest in an X (formerly Twitter) post that the Jannik Sinner’s pale yellow Nike t-shirt made him look like a service worker at a “1980s suburban swimming pool”. He wrote:

“Speaking of yellow Nike outfits…this Jannik Sinner look is tragic. Nike has him dressed like he’s working the snack bar at a 1980s suburban swimming pool. The world’s best player deserves better!”

Sinner is looking to win his third Major title in Melbourne after triumphing at the Australian Open and the US Open last year. The Italian has had a comfortable outing in his first three matches at the tournament. He came out on top of a tight three-setter against World No. 36 Nicolas Jarry in a tough opener earlier this week before beating Schoolkate on Thursday.

Jannik Sinner to face Marcos Giron for a place in the second week of Australian Open 2025

Jannik Sinner will take on USA’s Marcos Giron in the third round of the 2025 Australian Open on Saturday (January 18). Their only career meeting on the ATP Tour came in the Round of 64 of the 2023 Shanghai Masters, where the former won by a scoreline of 7-6(2), 6-2.

If the World No. 1 comes through the American’s challenge, he will face either 13th seed Holger Rune or Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic in the fourth round in Melbourne.