Cahill on Sinner: 'He's got a champion mindset'

Renowned coach Darren Cahill has helped Jannik Sinner surge to new heights since joining the team in July 2022.

The 23-year-old won his first major title under Cahill’s guidance at the Australian Open in January and then rose to No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time in June. On Sunday afternoon in New York, Sinner bookended his standout major season by capturing the title at the US Open.

Following Sinner’s victory, Cahill spoke to ESPN about the Italian’s journey and elite mindset during his US Open run.

“He was ready today,” Cahill told ESPN. “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.

“This morning he practised well. This morning we were talking to Andre Agassi in the locker room. He was talking about his game, and his mentality, and his composure also in the big moments. Even when he was tested in that third set, I still felt like he felt like he could get back into it and turn it around which he was able to do. So, he’s got this champion mindset that I think a lot of players don’t have. Certain players do have it for sure. But I believe he was born with it and he loves those situations and those moments.”

Australian Cahill has enjoyed a standout coaching career. The former No. 22 in the PIF ATP Rankings helped guide Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and WTA star Simona Halep to World No. 1 and joined Sinner’s team two years ago in an aim to add some experience to an-already well-oiled team.

Sinner has worked with countryman Simone Vagnozzi since the start of 2022 and Cahill was quick to praise Vagnozzi when he was asked about Sinner’s performance against Taylor Fritz.

“I think that Simone Vagnozzi has done an amazing job over the past couple of years, working on errors of his game, both transition from defence… and to get some power on those in the corners,” Cahill told ESPN. “But also getting back and taking the point over and transitioning into offence as well. Simone has been an amazing coach. He’s done a great job the past two and a half, three years. And it’s been an absolute honour to work with him and see how he’s been able to evolve Jannik’s game.”

Sinner leaves New York holding a 55-5 record on the season and has a commanding 2,885-point advantage over second-placed Alexander Zverev in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, which acts as a barometer for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF.

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