Turin's ATP stars blend court grit with GQ glamour
With the Nitto ATP Finals on the horizon, six top players step away from the baseline grind into a high-fashion photo shoot, their poised elegance hinting at the mental sharpness needed for year-end glory.
In the heart of Turin, days before the season's climax, a sleek city-center hotel transformed into a runway for tennis's elite. Six of the world's best players traded their baseline intensity for the sharp lines of couture, capturing a moment where athletic prowess meets modern style. This GQ shoot, timed perfectly ahead of the Nitto ATP Finals, offered a brief respite, their commanding poses reflecting the resilience forged through 2025's demanding campaign.
Season's trials shape poised reflections
The 2025 season pushed these athletes to their limits, blending physical endurance with psychological depth. Jannik Sinner defended his top spot amid injury whispers, his flat backhands slicing through pressure like a well-timed underspin on hard courts. Carlos Alcaraz channeled explosive energy despite fatigue, his inside-out forehands adapting to every surface shift, while Alexander Zverev rebuilt with crosscourt precision, turning setbacks into tactical advantages.
Taylor Fritz powered American hard-court runs with steady baseline rallies, his serve holding firm under mounting stakes, as Ben Shelton's booming lefty deliveries fueled a meteoric rise, demanding focus to sustain raw power. Alex de Minaur countered with fleet-footed one–two combinations, his speed weaving through emotional highs and lows. Clad in premium tailoring, they stood tall, the shoot's calm atmosphere echoing the mental reset before Turin's indoor battles.
Ben Shelton, Photo credit: John Russo
Alexander Zverev, Photo credit: John Russo
Alex de Minaur, Photo credit: John Russo
Jannik Sinner, Photo credit: John Russo
Carlos Alcaraz, Photo credit: John Russo
Taylor Fritz, Photo credit: John Russo
Photo credit: John Russo
Fashion poses reveal tactical minds
Under John Russo's lens, the players delivered frames as assured as their on-court decisions, blending fitness-sculpted forms with elegant silhouettes. Sinner's steady gaze mirrored the focus he brings to down-the-line passes amid roaring crowds, while Alcaraz's dynamic energy hinted at joyful tactical pivots. Zverev's stature evoked disciplined adjustments on slick surfaces, much like recalibrating serves for indoor speed.
Fritz and Shelton infused an American edge, their stances reminiscent of powering through tiebreaks with unyielding resolve, as de Minaur's lithe poise captured the agility that flips defense into attack. This fusion of style and sport highlighted how such interludes build psychological armor, preparing them for the Finals' round-robin intensity. The indoor hard courts will demand quick adaptations—lower bounces favoring penetrating groundstrokes and shortened points via 1–2 punches.
Finals loom with strategic promise
As the Nitto ATP Finals unfold in Turin's Pala Alpitour, year-end No. 1 battles intensify every matchup. Sinner seeks home validation with crowd energy amplifying his precision, Alcaraz blending flair and consistency to counter fatigue. Zverev's depth exploits lapses through crosscourt returns, while Fritz's net approaches target weaknesses with inside-in accuracy.
Shelton's power could disrupt with aggressive serves, though focus against veterans tests his growth, and de Minaur's slices slow tempos, forcing endurance duels. Explore the full shoot and behind-the-scenes details on GQ’s website, where this stylish pause underscores their drive. Trading couture for kits once more, these stars carry sharpened minds into the decisive clashes ahead.
