Coach Darren Cahill reveals how Jannik Sinner cut out noise from critics about his doping scandal

World No.1 Jannik Sinner emerged as a champion in three big events despite dealing with the doping controversy.

Coach Darren Cahill reveals how Jannik Sinner cut out noise from critics about his doping scandal

Darren Cahill, Jannik Sinner (Images via ATP/X)

Critics’ opinions about Jannik Sinner‘s doping scandal won’t seem to end anytime soon. Even though many of them don’t accuse the Italian of intentional clostebol contamination, the handling of his case by the anti-doping agencies raised many eyebrows.

Sinner, however, is paying no heed to the critics’ opinions. His coach Darren Cahill, who joined his team in 2022 and will end the partnership after this season, revealed what Sinner told him about cutting the noise from the critics.

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He said to me the other day, ‘Don’t concern yourself with criticism of someone that you wouldn’t take advice from’. And I’m like, ‘Oh my God! You’re 23 years of age?’…Hearing that from him was like what we all needed to move forward.

Darren Cahill said on Tennis Insider Club podcast

Not concerning himself with what the tennis community was discussing him helped him focus on his matches as, despite the scandal, he won the US Open and the ATP Finals last year, defeating America’s Taylor Fritz in straight sets in both finals. The 23-year-old then carried his incredible form to the 2025 season as he lifted his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

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David Walsh criticizes Jannik Sinner’s three-month doping ban

Journalist David Walsh, who played a huge role in bringing former American cyclist Lance Armstrong‘s doping scandal to light, gave his opinion on Jannik Sinner‘s doping saga. Walsh, like many, is convinced that Sinner’s doping case was handled conveniently.

Jannik Sinner (9)
Jannik Sinner (Image via ATP/X)

Perhaps Sinner wasn’t trying to cheat, but I feel even more certain that when it comes to doping, tennis players are not treated equally.

David Walsh wrote in his column for The Sunday Times

Several players in the past have been handed harsh punishment for unintentional doping, including in the case of Simona Halep. Sinner’s doping case divided the tennis world, but even those who supported him since his failed doping tests came to light, have argued that the anti-doping system needed an overhaul because of lack of consistency in judgments.

Sinner is expected to make his comeback at the Italian Open as it starts a few days after May 4, the day his ban will end. He has played and won just one title this season, the Australian Open, with a straight-set win over Alexander Zverev in the final. The South Tyrol native withdrew from the Rotterdam Open and was scheduled to play Qatar Open, but was forced to pull out of the tournament due to the ban.