Sinner's Coaches Snubbed For ATP Coach Of Year Award Despite Record-Breaking Year

Neither of Jannik Sinner's coaches will win the ATP Coach of the Year after they did not make the five-man shortlist.

The ATP began recognizing the best coach or coaches of the year in 2016. Magnus Norman, Stan Wawrinka's coach at the time, won the award in 2016 after the Swiss legend's run to the US Open title during that year.

Marian Vajda, Novak Djokovic's former coach, and Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Alcaraz's current coach, are others to have won the award. Ferrero claimed the honor in 2022 after Alcaraz secured the US Open title as a 19-year-old.

Sinner's head coaches Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi won last year's edition of the award after the Italian's impressive 2023 season, which included winning the Canadian Open, finishing as the runner-up at the ATP Finals to Djokovic, and helping Italy take home the Davis Cup title.

There was some controversy about Djokovic's then-coach Goran Ivanisevic not being chosen last year after the Serbian's outstanding year, which saw him earn three Grand Slams and the ATP Finals. Djokovic himself publicly questioned the decision.

However, Sinner and his team might feel similar to Djokovic last year. The world No. 1's coaches were not even on the shortlist, even though he enjoyed the most statistically successful ATP season.

Sinner won maiden Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and US Open. Other notable moments included obtaining three Masters 1000 crowns and completing a perfect week at the ATP Finals by winning a maiden title.

The 23-year-old ended the year by helping Italy claim back-to-back Davis Cup titles. Sinner has many insane achievements to his name in 2024, including becoming the fastest player to guarantee the year-end No. 1 ranking since Djokovic in 2015.

Although Cahill and Vagnozzi's omission might seem harsh, the ATP may have felt they could not be shortlisted because Sinner's former fitness coach and physiotherapist played a pivotal role in his two positive tests for a banned substance this season.

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Cahill and Vagnozzi were not at fault for the positive tests, but the ATP might still be worried about a potential backlash if the pair were among the five nominees for Coach of the Year.

Jack Draper's coach, James Trotman, is one of the nominees. He helped Draper have a breakthrough season, which included titles at the Vienna and Stuttgart Opens and a run to the US Open semifinal.

Michael Russell, Taylor Fritz's coach, is another nominee. During an exceptional 2024 season, the American reached the US Open final and was also the runner-up at the ATP Finals.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard's coach, Emmanuel Plangue, is also a strong contender. The 21-year-old began 2024 outside the Top 200 but finished the year at No. 31 after winning the Lyon Open and Vienna Open titles.

The other nominees are Tommy Paul's coach, Brad Stine, and Alexei Popyrin's coach, Xavier Malisse. Paul ended the season at a career-high ranking of No. 12, while Alexei Popyrin had a sensational run to the Canadian Open title and also beat Novak Djokovic at the US Open.

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