Darren Cahill Reveals how an Advice from Novak Djokovic Revolutionized Jannik Sinner’s Game

Jannik Sinner lost to Novak Djokovic after winning the first two sets in their Wimbledon 2022 quarterfinals.

Darren Cahill Reveals how an Advice from Novak Djokovic Revolutionized Jannik Sinner’s Game

Darren Cahill (inset), Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic (via The Tennis Letter)

Jannik Sinner‘s coach Darren Cahill has shared an incredible revelation about Novak Djokovic. The Australian coach, who will leave his position at the end of this season as Sinner’s coach, claims that the Serb shared an important advice after their five-set match in Wimbledon 2022.

The Serb came back from two sets down to beat Sinner in this match before going on to win his seventh Wimbledon title. However, he shared an important advice regarding Sinner’s game to Cahill after the match. Cahill said on Served with Andy Roddick podcast:

I said to Novak after the match that I’ve started with Jannik. I asked him what he was feeling out there. He was incredible and wished me Good Luck. He said that Jannik hits the ball great but there was no variation. There is no shape in his shot, no high over net, doesn’t come to the net, doesn’t bring me in. It wasn’t like we didn’t know all these things, but when I said this to Jannik, it made a huge impact on a young player like him.

Sinner and Djokovic have met each other twice at Wimbledon, and the Serb emerged victorious on both occasions. After the Wimbledon 2022 quarterfinals, they also met in the Wimbledon 2023 semifinals and the 24-time Grand Slam champion once again emerged victorious.

However, Sinner has turned their rivalry around in recent occasions. The Italian has won their last four meetings, including the two Grand Slam matches at the 2024 Australian Open and the 2025 Roland Garros.

Jannik Sinner aims to follow Roger Federer’s landmark in Halle

World No.1 Jannik Sinner has returned to the Halle Open in 2025, aiming to win the tournament for the second year in a row. The world No. 1 claimed the title in 2024 after defeating Hubert Hurkacz in the final. He enters this year’s ATP 500 event as the clear favorite to defend his crown.

Jannik Sinner (4)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

If Sinner wins again, he will become one of the few players to win multiple Halle titles. Tommy Haas is one of them, having won in 2009 and 2012 as a wildcard both times. In 2009, Haas beat Philipp Kohlschreiber and then upset Novak Djokovic in the final. Three years later, he beat Federer in straight sets to secure his second title.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov also had success at Halle, winning the title three times. After a runner-up finish in 1996, he won in 1997 and defended his title in 1998. He later claimed his third crown in 2002 by beating Nicolas Kiefer in the final. Though better known for hard and clay courts, Kafelnikov left a strong mark on grass in Halle.

Roger Federer remains the most successful player in Halle’s history with 10 titles. His first came in 2003, and he went on to win four straight. Federer added more trophies in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2019. He also reached the final three other times, finishing runner-up in 2010, 2012, and 2018.

Jannik Sinner starts Halle defense

Italian star Jannik Sinner has made a strong return to grass at the 2025 Terra Wortmann Open. This was his first match since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland Garros final. He bounced back with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann in Halle.

Jannik Sinner Sky Sports 2025
Jannik Sinner (via Sky Sports)

Sinner, the defending champion at this ATP 500 event, showed confidence throughout the match. He didn’t drop serve and saved both break points he faced. The victory was sealed in 92 minutes inside OWL Arena.

His dominant serving played a key role. Sinner won 84% of his first-serve points (37 of 44). The win improved his season record to 19-2 and extended his winning streak to 66 matches against players ranked outside the top 20.

In the next round, Sinner faces a bigger challenge against 2023 Halle champion Alexander Bublik. The Italian leads their head-to-head 4-1. Bublik’s only win came through a retirement in Halle two years ago.

Also Read: Rivalry Between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner Reminds Chris Evert of Her Battles with Martina Navratilova