Jannik Sinner is going through a turbulent time. © APA / SARAH STIER
Before Jannik Sinner’s start in the ATP Finals, his coach Darren Cahill gave a moving interview in which he also commented in detail on the doping situation.
08. November 2024
From: det
Darren Cahill has seen it all in the tennis world. As a coach, he led big names like Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi to the top of the world rankings, and he also looked after the Romanian top player Simona Halep. In 2009 he even turned down an offer from Roger Federer, who wanted to hire him as a coach. So it means something when the Australian says about his protégé Jannik Sinner: “He is an inspiration to me.”
In an interview with the Corriere della Sera Sinner’s trainer gave deep insights. “Everyone says how important the team around him is. But the opposite is also true: He is the leader, he shows us the way,” said Cahill about the world number one.
Star-Trainer Darren Cahill. © ANSA / Jessica Pasqualon / Z24
One of the defining topics surrounding Jannik Sinner is still the doping case. After two positive samples in the spring, the man from Sexten was acquitted by an independent court, but the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA has filed an appeal. Sinner now has to answer before the International Court of Arbitration for Sports in Lausanne.
Sinner has only gotten stronger
Cahill says: “After everything he’s been through, he understands that he can get through anything in life. Nothing can scare him anymore.” What the coach means by that: Despite the specter of doping, Sinner played like a champion and, for example, won the US Open during this delicate time.
“We know that a lockdown is a possibility.”
Darren Cahill
“The worst moment was when we found out about the positive doping samples,” says Cahill. “Alex Vittur (Sinner manager, editor’s note) got the email and had to tell Jannik. That was a shock.” A shock that took a lot out of Sinner. The Pusterer said that he had many sleepless nights, including before his Wimbledon quarter-final against Daniil Medvedev, which he lost.
Jannik Sinner is the superstar in Turin. © ANSA / ALESSANDRO DI MARCO
Darren Cahill also says: “We know that a suspension is a possibility. But we cannot change the situation now. We have no choice but to concentrate on our daily work. Whatever happens, Jannik will face it with his usual maturity and composure. And we will do everything we can to protect him. The tennis court is his oasis of well-being, he has fun here, he knows that nothing bad can happen to him here.”
