PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – Running into Mattia Bellucci at a tennis tournament is like travelling back to the 1990s. The Italian wears colours and styles that carry the distinctive imprint of an era whose main fashion icon was Andre Agassi. The eight-time Grand Slam champion is, in fact, Bellucci’s main reference.
“The inspiration comes from vintage tennis. I like a lot the way Andre Agassi was dressed. He’s my biggest inspiration,” Bellucci told CLAY, wearing in the Caribbean a loose white-and-yellow collared shirt reminiscent of 1990s designs.
The 24-year-old, a left-hander with long hair, places special value on what he wears on court. He ties his hair back with an elastic and, unlike almost any current player, uses a bandana. His breakthrough into the spotlight came at the 2025 ATP 500 in Rotterdam, where he reached the semi-finals. Since then, his look has remained etched in tennis fans’ memory.
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“I remember when I was a kid, I used to wear the bandana, so that’s coming from my childhood. I was also wearing sunglasses, but not anymore,” he explained.
Recently, Mattia Bellucci signed with Italian luxury sportswear brand CP Company, founded in 1971 by designer Massimo Osti.
“I think it’s quite stylish. I like to to be dressed like this on court. I feel stronger. I feel more confident. And, obviously, the performance comes first. So CP Company is helping me with good clothing; We are trying to believe in each other, and I help them saying what I like to wear on court,” he said in Cap Cana, where he has been producing some of his most aggressive tennis, defeating Francesco Maestrelli, Hubert Hurkacz and Raphael Collignon to reach the semi-finals of the second edition of the Caribbean’s most important tournament.
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Bellucci is not only inspired by Agassi: “Pete Sampras, Jim Courier… I really like the styles of that generation. Also, some outfits from Roger Federer are memorable! I remember the all-black outfit in the US Open. That was one of my favourites!”
The world No. 94 is also a big fan of tattoo culture. The Italian is covering his arms and part of his chest with a large traditional Japanese-style tattoo that requires several sessions.
“It’s a single Japanese-style tattoo. It’s still in progress, I have to finish it,” he told CLAY, showing the design during a cool night in the Dominican Republic’s east coast.
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