Jannik Sinner Opens Up About His Relationship with Coach Darren Cahill Ahead of Australian Open: “He’s the Father of the Team”

Jannik Sinner won his four Grand Slam titles under the tutelage of Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi.

Jannik Sinner Opens Up About His Relationship with Coach Darren Cahill Ahead of Australian Open: “He’s the Father of the Team”

Jannik Sinner, Darren Cahill (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

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During the Australian Open draw ceremony, Jannik Sinner confirmed that he and coach Darren Cahill have agreed to extend their partnership this season. The Italian will be chasing in the Melbourne Slam, the main draw of which starts on Sunday (January 18).

Sinner will be competing for a third consecutive title, and the win will make him only the second man to accomplish this feat, joining Novak Djokovic. It was back in 2024 that Sinner clinched his career’s first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. Since then, he has gone on to lift three more Majors (the 2024 US Open, 2025 Australian Open, and the 2025 Wimbledon).

All these trophies he won under the guidance of Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi, both of whom joined his team in 2022. Under their tutelage, the 24-year-old also reached the World No.1 ranking as well as added two ATP Finals titles to his trophy cabinet.

Sinner recently gave an interview to the Australian Open, during which, among other things, he talked about his relationship with Cahill and Vagnozzi.

Darren is very important, both to me and to the entire team. I always say he’s ‘the father of the team’ because he has so much experience. Darren has always managed to tell me the right things at the right moments, whether before, during, or after matches. He conveys so much calmness and confidence, to me and to the entire team. Darren and Simone are a great pair; we always push each other to improve.

Jannik Sinner said

It was during the Australian Open last year that Sinner made the revelation of Cahill leaving his team after the end of the season. But Sinner as well as Vagnozzi often expressed their wish to continue working with the Aussie coach.

Simone Vagnozzi has his own vision and his own world (laughs). Joking aside, Simone is very professional and watches more matches than all of us combined to give me as much feedback as possible. I tease him a lot; we’ve known each other for a long time, and we have a deep bond.

Jannik Sinner added

In the previous two Australian Open finals, Sinner came from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev (2024), while last year, he broke no sweat against Alexander Zverev, denying him the Grand Slam glory with a straight-set win.

Arnaud Di Pasquale sends a warning to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

The tennis world is eagerly waiting to see the emergence of the ‘third guy’ to break the Jannik Sinner–Carlos Alcaraz dominance, similar to what Novak Djokovic did during the Rafael Nadal–Roger Federer era. Many have tipped Joao Fonseca to do the job, including Arnaud Di Pasquale, who defeated Federer to clinch the bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ, Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

He has the tennis of the future. For me, he’s the player to watch [this] season. I think he exudes something quite remarkable. He’s capable of playing on all surfaces, and he has an attacking style of tennis. He has this incredibly powerful, devastating forehand; he’s already able to serve very well, and physically, for his young age, I think he moves well.

Arnaud Di Pasquale told Eurosport France

Pasquale also backed the Brazilian to reach the top 10 by the end of this season. The 19-year-old, who reached a career-best No.24 ranking in November last year, currently stands on the 30th spot in the rankings table. Last year, he lifted two titles: the Argentina Open by defeating Francisco Cerundolo and the Swiss Indoors by defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Fonseca has yet to lock horns with Sinner or Alcaraz. He met the six-time Grand Slam champion in an exhibition event last year and lost that match.

Also read: (Video) Daniil Medvedev Gives Priceless Reaction to Stunning Tweener from Amateur at One Point Slam