Jannik Sinner explains reason behind strange wardrobe addition at Cincinnati Open

Jannik Sinner is on a roll at the Cincinnati Open, where he is the defending champion. The world No. 1 is through to the last 16, where he takes on Adrian Mannarino on Wednesday. While Sinner has been letting his tennis do the talking this week, he's also turning heads with an unusual style choice.

The Italian has been wearing a long white sleeve on his right arm throughout the tournament. Sinner started wearing the protective piece during Wimbledon, where he injured his elbow, and fans wondered whether he was still struggling physically.

There were concerns when the reigning Cincinnati champion returned to Ohio still wearing the sleeve. But the four-time Major winner has alleviated injury concerns - and squashed suggestions that he's trying to make a fashion statement.

"The elbow is good. Today was the first time that I put a sleeve on because I liked the feeling of the sleeve," he said earlier in the tournament.

"It gives a little bit more impact with the ball, it's slightly more stable. That's my point of view, and I liked it in Wimbledon.

"I have to see how it is when it's very hot and humid, because it's a little bit different, so it's going to be something that I'm going to take into consideration, but I really love the feeling it gives of pure striking."

The searing heat in Cincinnati has been a major talking point throughout the tournament. Arthur Rinderknech collapsed and later retired from his third-round match on Monday, while players like Francisco Comesana and Cameron Norrie have fallen ill in the rising temperatures.

Sinner is due to play his next match against Mannarino during Wednesday's day session, and it remains to be seen whether the sleeve makes a return, or if he must forego his arm covering in the sweltering conditions.

The world No. 1 defeated 6ft 8" big server Gabriel Diallo in his last match, saving a set point in the second set to win 6-2 7-6(6).

"It was a very difficult day at the office. He was serving very well, especially in the second set... If you don't play well in tough situations like this you can lose these matches," Sinner said after beating Diallo.

"You have to find the balance against these big servers. I struggled with that at times today. But I need tough matches like this, I'm happy I got one before the [US Open] Grand Slam."

But Sinner wasn't happy with his own serving in the third round, and immediately headed to the practice courts after the match.

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