Sinner greets Cahill, 'much more than a coach'. And in his place is Norman

The long and happy sporting history between Jannik Sinner and the coach of his greatest successes, Darren Cahill, has come to an end. After indiscretions, rumors and denials, the time has come for the official farewell of the Australian coach who, having joined the Italian team led by Simone Vagnozzi in 2022, helped the South Tyrolean champion win five Slams, becoming the most successful Italian in the majors, the first to become world number 1, the first to win the Nitto ATP Finals, which he won for two years in a row in 2024 and 2025.

Cahill had expressed the desire for a quiet 'retirement' already in 2025, only to then extend the collaboration by a season at Sinner's insistent request. Now, the paths part permanently. At the same time, the official entry into the Sinner team of Swede Magnus Norman, former world number 2, historic coach of Stan Wawrinka during all three Slams won by the Swiss. The end of a fortunate union was greeted with great gratitude and affection on the part of the former tennis number one, who has been sidelined for some time with a knee injury and is about to return at the end of December, for the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh: "When we started working together in 2022, I was just a young, skinny Italian boy with many questions - said Sinner in a video also published on social media by Cahill - You never gave me all the answers. You helped me find them from alone. You came as one of my coaches. Very soon you became so much more. Someone I could trust, someone I could count on, a friend."

"Darren - added the South Tyrolean tennis player in a note - has been an incredibly important part of my journey. Together with Simone and the whole team, we have achieved goals that I have dreamed of since I was a child. Winning five Grand Slam titles and reaching world number 1 together are results that I will always cherish with great pride, but what matters just as much is the relationship we have built along the way". "I want to thank Darren for the trust he placed in me, for his sincerity and his dedication. He helped me grow both as a player and as a person, and his teachings will accompany me throughout my career. Over the last five years we have shared many special moments and, although our collaboration as coach and player has come to an end, our friendship will continue."

The greeting to Sinner from his now former coach is in the same vein: "Working with Jannik was an honor and a special privilege. He is an extraordinary young man, a humble and hard-working champion, of whom we are all incredibly proud. Trust, sincerity and conviction only work when they are mutual, and this has always been Jannik's strength as an athlete. It is also what makes the experience of coaching a boy like him so unforgettable." And as often happens for a good story that ends there is another that is about to begin: that of Norman, the Swede former world number 2 who will join the South Tyrolean team at the beginning of next month, working alongside Vagnozzi.

Born in 1976, Norman's playing career ended very early, at just 27 years old, after victories in Rome, in the Davis Cup and also a Roland Garros final. Hence the choice to become a coach, with the historic collaboration with the Swiss Wawrinka, who retired this year. The portrait of Norman that emerges from those who know him well on the tennis court is that of a much less dogmatic coach than one might think: few complications, a lot of listening ability, an enormous work ethic and above all a rare quality at the highest level, that of transmitting calm and confidence.

Cahill: 'It was an honor and a privilege'

"Working with Jannik - added Darren Cahill himself - has been a special honor and privilege. He is an extraordinary guy, a humble and hard-working champion, of whom we are all incredibly proud. Trust, honesty and mutual respect only work when they are shared by both parties, and this has been Jannik's great strength as an athlete. It is also the reason why training a person like him becomes such a memorable experience. I want to thank Jannik, the entire team and all the fans for having welcomed this Australian into the wonderful Italian family. I wish the team nothing but further success for the years to come."

Five years of success

Cahill joined the Sinner team in June 2022 and, working alongside Simone Vagnozzi, has played a vital role in the Italian tennis player's rise to the top of the sport. Under their guidance, Sinner won five Grand Slam titles and two ATP Finals titles, also completing the "Golden Masters Career" with victories in all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.

In June 2024 he reached the top of the world rankings for the first time: achievements that reflect years of dedication, constant improvement and the firm belief, shared by both, of what they could achieve together.

In addition to his sporting achievements, Cahill's experience, vision and calmness had a lasting influence on Sinner. Over time, they built a relationship based on trust and mutual respect, developing a deep friendship that went beyond a simple professional bond.