Renowned coach Darren Cahill has lifted the lid on the mental toughness and unrelenting drive of ATP Finals champion Jannik Sinner, whom the Australia helped coach to the title in Turin this month.
Cahill helps guide the 22-year-old world No. 4, who lifted the honour on a home court as he beat world No. 1 Novak Djokovic just days ago.
The Aussie says the team is already working for a top level at the Paris Summer Olympics, a dream of Sinner.
“I would say that for next season, his top priority is none other than than the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” he told Rome’s Corriere dello Sport..
“It’s an event that we have already marked in red on our calendar because Jannik loves to represent Italy,
“When he got injured last year in Paris-Bercy and couldn’t play in the Davis Cup, I realised how much he cares about his country because he was really devastated.”
The top mentor who has worked with former No. 1s Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi and Simona Halep, praised his latest pupil’s work ethic.
“I’m not surprised by the level at which he has played in the last two weeks of the season because I know what he loves this sport and how he works,” Cahill said..
“He’s learned a lot in the last two years and his improvement has been evident in some shots as well, such as the sliced backhand.
He has also polished things on his forehand, which is one of the most impressive I have seen in my career.”
Cahill added: “I know that he is prepared to do anything to continue improving. He has the will to do technical, tactical, nutritional adjustments and everything that can be asked of him.”
Cahill called Sinner able “to adapt to all types of situations.”
“He is very mature for his age, he’s always smiling, he is very intelligent and competitive, in addition to generating a very good atmosphere wherever he goes.”
Main photo:- Darren Cahill with his charge Andre Agassi after winning 2003 Australian Open – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
