Jannik Sinner in Monza: Why Laila Hasanovic Isn’t There

As announced, Jannik Sinner has arrived at the Monza Circuit. The world’s No. 1 tennis player, who was forced to miss the U.S. Open due to a knee injury, was greeted like a superstar in the paddock by hundreds of fans, and he happily posed for selfies and signed autographs. The Italian is at the circuit to meet his friend Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a Mercedes driver, and to watch the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix.

The champion from Sesto Pusteria was accompanied by his father, Hanspeter, while Laila Hasanovic was nowhere to be seen—unlike in December, when Sinner’s Danish model girlfriend had joined him before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hasanovic is a regular in the paddock, having been engaged to former F1 driver Mick Schumacher for about three years, until early 2025.

But Laila was unable to attend the event in Monza due to work commitments: she is currently at the Venice Film Festival, where she has been participating in several fashion shows over the past few days (the most recent one on Saturday evening, wearing an Armani evening gown).

Sinner’s presence at Monza had been hinted at in recent days by Flavio Briatore, executive advisor for Alpine, who had confirmed the tennis player’s arrival for the Italian Grand Prix weekend. The announcement immediately set the scene abuzz and sparked enthusiasm among fans, who were already ready to welcome their hero to the temple of speed. Also waiting for Sinner on this special Sunday is Kimi Antonelli: the driver from Bologna, who leads the World Championship standings, will start from 21st on the grid due to a power unit replacement on his Mercedes.