Jannik Sinner has spoken about the role his coach, Darren Cahill, played when he discovered the news of his positive tests for a banned substance.
Cahill became Sinner's coach in July 2022, joining Simone Vagnozzi, and has played a vital role in improving the 23-year-old's game, leading to his incredible results and performances during a breakthrough 2024 season.
After a strong end to 2023, which saw Cahill named the ATP coach of the year alongside Vagnozzi, Sinner won his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open with an epic comeback from two sets down in the final against Daniil Medvedev.
The Italian claimed further titles at the Rotterdam Open and Miami Open and became world No. 1 after the French Open, replacing 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic at the top of the rankings.
Sinner extended his lead at No. 1 later in the season, most notably beating Taylor Fritz in a one-sided final to win his maiden US Open title. He also secured two more Masters-1000 crowns at the Cincinnati Open and the Shanghai Masters.
Cahill's role in turning Sinner into the world's No. 1 player proves his abilities as a tennis coach. However, the importance of his role off the court increased after the Australian Open winner's positive tests.
Sinner twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol during the Indian Wells Open. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) initially cleared him of any wrongdoing, and he avoided a ban.
Unfortunately for the Italian, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the case, arguing that Sinner bore some negligence for the clostebol entering his system and is seeking a ban of between one and two years.
The news of the positive tests came as a surprise to Sinner. Both the ITIA and WADA accept his explanation that the substance went into his body accidentally through massages from his physiotherapist, but WADA believes he has to take some responsibility for that.
Sinner's shock meant he needed support around him, and he outlined how he got that from Cahill and his father in an interview with Sky Sport and Intesa Sanpaolo. The pair made him feel safe and protected through the support they gave.
"I have to thank my team that was close to me the whole time because I needed it. For example, Darren didn't go home to Australia and came to me, he was with me, my dad came. Thanks to them I felt safe. Protected."
"And that's why when I say that when you win tournaments or even matches that mean a lot, I always dedicate them to the people who are close to me, because without them I don't know how I could have overcome all of this. I'm happy with how I handled it because it was very difficult."
The world No. 1 also said he feels safe when he is on-court and realized his work to be successful during tournaments needed to be separated from the doping case.
"The moment I go on the court and put on my cap, for me only the tennis ball exists. On the court I feel safe. Then we saw that it is difficult to play like that, but that is another matter. But I feel safe."
"When I see the ball and I am about to serve, all my focus and desire is to hit the ball on the court. Because in the end it is my job and my passion. The problem and the work had to be separated."
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