Jannik Sinner may still be building one of the most dominant runs in modern tennis, but uncertainty continues to surround the future of one of the key figures behind his rise after coach Darren Cahill admitted he still does not know whether he will remain with the Italian beyond the end of the season. Cahill, who began working with Sinner in 2022 alongside fellow coach Simone Vagnozzi, had originally announced that 2025 would be his final season on the ATP Tour. However, those plans changed after Sinner’s Wimbledon triumph last year, with the pair previously revealing they had made an agreement connected to the All England Club title. When Sinner lifted the Wimbledon trophy, the Italian effectively earned the right to decide whether Cahill would continue coaching him, leading to the Australian delaying his planned retirement from full-time coaching. Now speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Cahill explained that no similar agreement currently exists for this season, although he revealed the pair would once again sit down at the end of the year to evaluate their future together. “Let’s see… I didn’t think I’d be coaching Jannik in 2026, and yet here I am,” Cahill said. “For now, there’s no bet; my goal is to do the best job possible for Sinner and the team this year. Then we’ll talk at the end of the season, like we did last year, and we’ll decide, with complete peace of mind.”
Cahill says Sinner will be the final player of his coaching career
Although Cahill left the door slightly open regarding how long he could remain with Team Sinner, he was far more definitive when discussing his long-term coaching future. Asked directly whether Sinner would be the final player of his career, the 60-year-old replied: “Absolutely yes. One hundred percent.” Cahill has worked with some of the biggest names in tennis across multiple generations, including Andre Agassi, Andy Murray and Simona Halep before joining Sinner’s setup. Inside Italian tennis circles, Cahill has become affectionately known by fans as “Dad Darren” because of the calming and experienced presence he brings to the team alongside Vagnozzi. Their partnership has helped transform Sinner into the dominant force currently leading the men’s game.
Darren Cahill confirms Jannik Sinner will be final player he ever coaches/ Image: Instagram
The Italian world No. 1 has already won four Grand Slam titles, including two Australian Opens in 2024 and 2025, the 2024 US Open and Wimbledon in 2025. The only major title still missing from his collection is the French Open at Roland Garros, meaning he remains one trophy away from completing the career Grand Slam.
Sinner continuing historic run in 2026
Sinner’s success under Cahill and Vagnozzi has continued into another remarkable season. The 24-year-old recently became the first male player ever to win five consecutive ATP Masters 1000 tournaments after triumphing in Paris, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid. He is now attempting to secure a sixth consecutive Masters 1000 crown at his home tournament, the Italian Open in Rome. By reaching the last 16 in Rome, Sinner moved within two victories of breaking Novak Djokovic’s record for the longest consecutive winning streak at Masters 1000 level. Victory in Rome would also make him only the second man alongside Djokovic to win all nine Masters 1000 tournaments. Despite the growing comparisons with Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Sinner has repeatedly downplayed discussions about legacy and records, insisting his focus remains on continuing to improve with his team.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner celebrates his historic 2026 Mutua Madrid Open title alongside co-coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill, and physiotherapist Alejandro Resnicoff/ Instagram
Cahill has also consistently praised Vagnozzi’s influence on Sinner’s development, stressing that the Italian remains the leading technical voice inside the coaching setup. “Simone is the main coach. I think the reason our relationship works so well is that our roles are fairly well-defined, yet intertwined in many ways,” Cahill explained. “Simone and I discuss everything about Jannik, both technically and emotionally. He tries to learn from me in some areas, and I’m learning from him in many others, because he has an incredible technical eye, better than mine. “He can see technical aspects of the game that very few coaches can. And he sees them very early, very clearly. But above all, he manages to convey them to the player so he can understand them and put them into practice.” Sinner will next face fellow Italian Andrea Pellegrino for a place in the Italian Open quarter-finals as he continues his push towards a home title in Rome, something Italy has not celebrated in the men’s singles tournament since Adriano Panatta won the event 50 years ago.
