Darren Cahill Opens up on Jannik Sinner’s Accidental Revelation About his Retirement Rumors

Jannik Sinner's coach Darren Cahill, who has guided four players to Grand Slam victories will retire at the end of the season.

Darren Cahill Opens up on Jannik Sinner’s Accidental Revelation About his Retirement Rumors

Darren Cahill and Jannik Sinner (via BBC)

Darren Cahill shared an interesting anecdote in his appearance as a guest in the ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast, where he was joined by Roddick himself and Jon Wertheim. Cahill, who has been coaching Jannik Sinner since 2022 alongside Simone Vagnozzi, has earlier coached other players, such as the likes of Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt, and Simona Halep, to Grand Slam victories. 

Cahill talked about a moment at the Australian Open this year, where the World No. 1 accidentally revealed his coach’s retirement plans to the press after his second-round victory over Tristan Schoolkate. Here is what he had to say:

After the victory in the second round in Melbourne, in a press conference Jannik mistakenly said that this would be my last year as a coach. Then he ran into the locker room, telling me he had made a big mistake and apologizing. So yeah, the news shouldn’t have come out so soon, but I told him it was no problem and he shouldn’t worry. Nothing has changed since the beginning of the season so far, but the year is long… I’m enjoying working with him, and you never know what’s going to happen.

Cahill, now 59, has had a long coaching career, which began with coaching Hewitt in 1998. He will end his coaching partnership with Sinner at the end of the season.

Darren Cahill speaks about the Big 4

With the rise of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, there is one question that is often asked, “Who will be the next member of the new Big 3?” Sinner and Alcaraz have already taken the tennis world by storm, showing great dominance, and they are often compared to the previous generation and their achievements. Darren Cahill, however, doesn’t foresee another Big 3 or Big 4 domination.

I don’t think you’re going to have the runaway domination that we had for 15 years with three players. And then you throw in Andy Murray as well. Andy was an amazing player. So it was the big four for a certain period of time there. So we won’t have that runaway domination. But at the moment these two guys, they’re trailblazing for a kind of a new style of tennis as well.

Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic
L-R: Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic (Image via X/CGTN Sports Scene)

Though Sinner has been World No. 1 for a year now, Alcaraz leads in their head-to-head record. Being a year younger, the Spaniard also leads in the total number of titles, including a lead in the Grand Slam and Masters 1000 title count. 

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s grass season

After his Roland Garros campaign, where he emerged as the runner-up, losing to World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner is now playing at the Halle Open. This is his first tournament of the grass season, and he will be looking to defend his title, which he clinched the title by defeating Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets in the final last year. 

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Univers Tennis)

In his opening round this year, Sinner defeated Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets and will now face Alexander Bublik in the second round. Meanwhile, Alcaraz is competing at the Queen’s Club Championships, where he defeated Adam Walton in his opening round and will face compatriot Jaume Munar in the next round.

Also Read: Jannik Sinner Admits He Still Struggles With Transition From Clay to Grass After Getting 1st Win in Halle