Laila Hasanovic Opens Up About Relationship With Tennis Star Jannik Sinner

Stepping into a New Reality of Public Attention

Speaking to the Danish edition of the fashion magazine Elle, the 25-year-old model discussed her relationship with the Italian world number one for the first time. Hasanovic and Sinner have been together for approximately a year, maintaining a largely private profile away from the public eye. However, the sheer volume of attention accompanying the relationship caught her off guard.

“I barely gave any thought to how much public attention would be connected with my relationship,” Hasanovic told Elle, describing the dynamic as a completely new reality. She admitted to feeling a visceral sense of unease whenever she discovers unannounced paparazzi photographs taken during private holidays, noting that such an adjustment is impossible to fully comprehend beforehand.

Despite the external scrutiny, Hasanovic emphasized that the couple has successfully cultivated a private sanctuary. Behind closed doors, she noted, they share a remarkably stable and normal relationship where they can be entirely themselves.

Managing a Long-Distance Romance and a Demanding Sport

Because Hasanovic is based in Copenhagen, the couple manages a long-distance relationship. The separation brings everyday logistical challenges, with the Danish model acknowledging occasional pangs of envy when her friends share ordinary routines with partners based in the same city. Still, she accepts the compromise, remarking that one cannot have everything at once.

Before her relationship with Sinner, Hasanovic was linked to former Formula 1 driver Mick Schumacher, with their separation becoming public in the spring of 2025 before she and the tennis player connected. Looking at Sinner’s career, she expressed deep admiration for his singular dedication. “I am in a relationship with someone who devotes an incredibly large part of his time to his passion, and I find that truly inspiring to follow,” she said.

That inspiration initially came with a steep learning curve. Hasanovic confessed that tennis was an entirely foreign world to her when they first met, admitting she did not grasp the historic scale of a tournament like Wimbledon until she experienced it firsthand. She recalled her very first invitation to a match—a gruelling five-and-a-half-hour battle between Sinner and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.

“I just sat there and thought, ‘Is this normal?’” she recalled, adding that she felt completely lost without an understanding of the sport’s rules or rhythm. While she can now laugh at the memory given how rare such marathon matches are, it served as an abrupt introduction to her partner’s professional arena.

Knee Injury Threatens Sinner’s Top Ranking as Beijing Withdrawals Mount

While Hasanovic reflected on their relationship, Sinner confronted a significant athletic setback. The reigning world number one announced his withdrawal from the upcoming ATP tournament in Beijing due to persistent knee problems that continue to sideline him.

“I am very sorry to announce that I will not be able to play in Beijing this year. My knee is not as good as I would like it to be, and I am not ready to compete,” Sinner said in a video posted to his social media channels. He added that he intends to do everything possible to return to competition as quickly as possible.

Sinner has not played an official match since his victory over Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final nearly two and a half months ago. The five-time Grand-Slam champion’s extended absence has heavy implications for the ATP rankings. Following Zverev’s triumph at the US Open, Germany’s Alexander Zverev has narrowed the gap at the top of the standings to 1,810 points.

By skipping Beijing, Sinner surrenders the 500 ranking points he earned as the defending champion there. With significantly more points to defend through the remainder of the season compared to his German rival, Sinner faces a mounting challenge to retain the number one ranking as the tennis calendar heads toward its final stretch.