Jannik Sinner successfully defended his Wimbledon title after defeating French Open champion Alexander Zverev at the All-England Club.
There were question marks surrounding the future of coach Darren Cahill before the tournament, and it once again took center stage after Sinner won his second Wimbledon title.
The 60-year-old was asked during a post-match press conference if he would continue working with Sinner beyond the 2026 season.
Cahill said, “No bet this year. No bet this year.”
The renowned Aussie then added, “I’m here until the end of 2026, and then we’ll see. I did say at the end of 2025 I was finished, and I turned around and changed my mind. We’ll get through the end of the year, and we’ll sit down as a team and talk about what’s best for Jannik.”
Sinner started his journey with renowned Italian coach Riccardo Piatti, whom he joined around the age 13–14 after moving to Piatti’s academy in Bordighera.
Piatti has had an influence on the development of players such as Novak Djokovic, Ivan Ljubičić, among others.
Sinner ended his partnership with Piatti after eight years after the Italian coach helped him reach the Top 10 and win the Next Gen ATP Finals title in 2019.
Darren Cahill joined Sinner’s coaching team alongside Italian head coach Simone Vagnozzi. The combination of Sinner, Vagnozzi and Cahill has been successful in helping the player reach World No.1 and also winning multiple Grand Slam titles.
Vagnozzi is the primary coach who takes care of the daily activities in practice, handles technical and tactical aspects on the court, including drills, shots, movements and, among others.
Importance of Darren Cahill to Jannik Sinner
Cahill brings a lot of experience to the team with mainly a focus on strategy, and the mental and emotional psyche of the player.
Emotional defense and support
The whole team feels safe around the Australian, as he creates a calm atmosphere.
Cahill has always defended his player, especially during the doping case which saw the World No.1 banned in February 2025. Cahill accepted his explanation that a banned substance, clostebol, entered his system accidentally. The renowned Aussie coach stood behind his player during ESPN’s television interview, saying, “We’re not looking for any sorrow or anything because we’re quite thankful that there is no ban attached. But I just want to stress that he’s a great kid. He’s incredibly professional,” he said.
“He’s maybe the most professional young man that I’ve ever had the chance to work with. He would never, ever intentionally do anything. He’s just in a situation which is incredibly unfortunate. And the truth came out, exactly what happened. There’s no fault, no negligence,” he said.
“I feel really bad for him that he has to go through this as well because he doesn’t deserve this,” he added.
He’s been the one who’s suffered through this the most and he’s the one that’s also had to get out there and play tennis and play tennis tournaments,” he said.
“So it’s been really, really difficult for him and I take my hat off to him that he’s been able to get some of the results that he has but there have been days where you can see that physically and emotionally he’s been challenged on the court.”
Service Game Improvement
Cahill has massively contributed to making Sinner’s serve unpredictable and very effective. This has eliminated the “attack the Sinner second serve” game plan that opponents used to rely on. Cahill specifically identified when thinks the World No.1 should improve, and that was his serve back in July 2022. The Aussie stressed that “One thing I did say is, ’The serve needs to improve. You’re six foot four and you’re a strong lad.’ You need to be able to get more miles per hour on that first serve, better direction on that first serve. Then not only do you start winning some free points from your first serve, but also your Plus One becomes much more effective. If people can neutralize your serve, you have to work much harder for your points.”
Father Figure
The Aussie acts like a father figure in crucial moments in matches by helping him manage his emotions, remaining very calm under pressure. Sinner admitted last yar that he would do everything in his power to convince the Australian, who he sees as a second father, to continue coaching him for the 2025 season.
The five-time Grand Slam winner was speaking ahead of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna.
“We haven’t talked yet, to be honest. We said we are going to finish the year, and then we might ask him for a long chat, trying to convince him. But in any case, if he stays or not, he has been an amazing person and obviously a coach for me to hold the whole team together in the tough moments.
“He is like a second father to me, so I’m happy to have him here. It’s a huge privilege to work with him. We aim for something very positive [for him to stay], and I will need a lot of hope for that.”
Calm Atmosphere
Cahill’s role goes even deeper than expected by making sure the Italian stays composed and calm under pressure. Former World No.1 Lleyton Hewitt, himself previously coached by Cahill, told On the Morning Serve, “I know he brings a lot of great ideas, that’s for sure, but I think It’s the experience of being here he’s done it before, obviously with me a long time ago but he’s done it with Andre Agassi and Simona Halep as well, so he’s been around. These days, tomorrow, Sinner is going to wake up, he’s going to be anxious, he’s going to be nervous, but just that calmness.”
Winning Mentality
Cahill has instilled a winning mentality to the five-time Grand Slam winner, which has propelled him to win multiple titles.
After Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev to win his second major title at the 2024 US Open, the Aussie told ESPN “He was ready today, there was a difference between Australia and here. I think in Australia when you’re going for your first, those nerves, it was the first Major final that he’d ever been in. There were more nerves. And maybe even some more expectations as well because he had beaten Medvedev a few times. And to get over that hump and that hurdle. I think it gives you incredible confidence that no matter what, you are going to be able to handle situations.”
His winning mentality and experience has proven to be his biggest asset to the team. This has helped players under his care to win multiple Grand Slam titles with notable names like Sinner, Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi, and Simona Halep.
Cahill’s 2025 Retirement Plans
Sinner confirmed Cahill’s plans to retire after the 2025 season or step back from coaching full-time, and also that Sinner will be his final player.
The World No.1 said, “He brought me so many things,” when asked about Cahill and what he had added since he joined the Italian’s team, which also includes coach Simone Vagnozzzi, in July 2022. “One year is still long. I don’t want to talk so much about his retirement. I feel very, very lucky and happy to be his last player on Tour. He has been an amazing, amazing coach and person, not only for me but for all the other players he has worked with.”
Change of plans
Things changed during last year’s Wimbledon, when Sinner proposed to the Australian that if he wins the title he decides what happens. After Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win the title, the extension of another year was agreed. The Italian told reporters, “We had a bet before the final. He said: ‘If you win tomorrow, you can decide whether or not I stay.’ Now the choice is mine. I’ve always looked for a person who is honest, a person who gives me a lot, not necessarily only on the tennis court, but [about] how to live.”
But how long will that bet keep Cahill around?
Repercussions of losing Cahill
Losing the Aussie might turn out to be a disaster considering the lack of experienced coaches currently in the business.
Tactical Breakdown
The 60 year-old’s biggest weapon is his tactical aspect of the sport–his ability to read the opponent’s strength and weakness. Sinner’s favorite surface was hard courts, but with the help of the renowned Aussie, the World No.1 has been able to compete on any surface. He has now every Masters title on all the surfaces.
Unavailability of experienced coaches
Finding the likes of a Cahill usually takes years and this risk long-term peak of athletes. Experience coaches excel in pressure moments, especially in break points, tiebreaks, fifth sets, etc.
Routine Collapse
NA nw coach may fight it difficult to know what’s best for the player. This results might lead mental exhaustion and also loss of confidence. When there are sudden changes in daily activities there will certainly be breakdowns in match rituals.
Luck of winning mentality
Before Cahill’s arrival Sinner had never won a Grand Slam title. The pair, in combination with Vagnozzi, have won 27 ATP singles titles together, including five Grand Slams, ten Masters 1000s, and two ATP Finals titles.
If Cahill decides to step down from coaching it will be a big blow to the Italian considering what they have achieved together. He has turned a promising young player into a dominant, complete, mentally tough champion.
Cahill’s potential job after coaching
He has been involved in ESPN’s coverage of Grand Slam tournaments as an analyst and commentator. At the age of 60, this might be more appealing to him, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if he decides to step down as a coach at the end of the year.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
