With his relationship with Russian tennis player Anna Kalinskaya seemingly over, the world No. 1 has been spotted with Russian model Lara Leito—ex-girlfriend of actor Adrien Brody—in the center of Monte Carlo, while she’s also been increasingly seen courtside…
The troubles of young Sinner seem a distant memory. Just days after his return to the court following a mutually agreed suspension with WADA over the Clostebol case, the world No. 1 reflected on the difficult months away from competitive tennis.
“I thought about quitting everything,” he told TG1 in an interview. “I didn’t feel the way a player should feel.” But now, with Rome and the Italian Open on the horizon, he added, “there’s no better place,” while avoiding making predictions. Expectations for his success are high. If he wins, it would be the first victory for an Italian male in singles since Adriano Panatta in 1976. And beyond that, there’s Roland Garros to look ahead to.
Off the court, things also seem to be going well. After a long on-again, off-again relationship with Russian tennis player Anna Kalinskaya—and rumors of rekindling things with influencer Maria Braccini—another woman has appeared at the champion’s side. The magazine Chi photographed him with Lara Leito, a 31-year-old Russian model, who has already been spotted several times courtside during his training sessions. The two were seen sharing tender moments in central Monte Carlo.
An ex of Adrien Brody, Lara Leito is a 31-year-old Russian model often described as a regular at glamorous events in Monaco and along the French Riviera. “Sculpted body and long hair,” is how her agency, View Management, describes her—but her résumé also includes a degree in Marketing, Communication, and Business Administration.
Born in Moscow, she began her career in the early 2010s, posing for Vogue and becoming a regular at the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals. She’s also worked as a writer for Vogue Russia and loves painting, a passion inherited from her aunt, art collector Stella Kesaeva.
On her Instagram profile, which has 344,000 followers, she shares photos of her travels, photo shoots, and appearances on film festival red carpets. Many of those appearances were with her former partner, two-time Oscar winner Adrien Brody, 52, whom she dated for five years. Before him, she was reportedly in a relationship with Halle Berry’s ex, actor Olivier Martinez, 59.
Among her photos, red clay courts occasionally make an appearance—tennis has always been one of her passions.
According to Chi, Jannik and Lara met during his forced break due to the doping case that began on February 9 and kept Sinner away from courts and tournaments. In the “I rested, I did lots of things” description the champion gave of his two-month break, alongside skiing and go-karting, it seems the model also played a role. She’s frequently posted photos in tennis attire in recent weeks.
The magazine also reported that she was spotted at the world No. 1’s training sessions in Monte Carlo, where he is preparing for his comeback at the Italian Open, showing clear “familiarity with the tennis star’s entourage.” She then received a hug from Jannik. The two were seen heading to the club’s restaurant and, upon leaving together, were spotted driving off in Sinner’s car. She got out in the city center and—right before saying goodbye—they reportedly shared a kiss.
She maintains a very private personal life, much like Sinner, who—during his relationship with Kalinskaya—only confirmed their status once to the media and asked for privacy.
Lara’s presence in Rome would be an “indirect confirmation” of the relationship. But not without one last twist… Anna Kalinskaya will also be competing at the Italian Open, and her breakup with Sinner has never been officially confirmed.