ATP’s World No. 1 Italian player Jannik Sinner is concluding his season at the ATP Finals at home in Turin, Italy this week. Sinner’s season has been filled with incredible highs, two Grand Slam wins, and lows, two failed drug tests he has since been cleared from. Behind Sinner’s rise is a former player, broadcaster, and legendary coach Darren Cahill who has been part of his team since July 2022.
Cahill, 59, has been a fixture in professional tennis since turning professional in 1984. His competitive career ended in 1995 with two titles and one Grand Slam semifinal singles appearance in the 1988 US Open.
Darren Cahill’s playing career was not as prolific or successful as his coaching career; however, Cahill recently hinted at his future coaching plans.
Darren Cahill’s Former Players Were Champions
Cahill has coached Grand Slam champions on the ATP and WTA tours. He helped his Australian compatriot Lleyton Hewitt rise to World No. 1 in the early 2000s. Then, Cahill worked with Andre Agassi toward the tail end of his Hall of Fame career.
Jannik Sinner with Andre Agassi & Darren Cahill in Melbourne.
Quite a group. pic.twitter.com/WcW5tKLiB6
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 14, 2024
Most recently, he coached Simona Halep during her peak. Cahill was also a trial coach for American Amanda Anisimova in early 2022 before teaming up with Jannik Sinner.
Happy to catch some time with this super human. A great coach but an even better friend @darren_cahill 😀 pic.twitter.com/fWK1acOuXq
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) June 10, 2024
Who Will Darren Cahill Coach Next?
Cahill surprised many by telling the Italian publication Corriere della Sera that Jannik Sinner would be the last player he coaches. He is arguably one of the most successful active tennis coaches. Cahill would have players lining up to hire him. He is young and vibrant so this is somewhat of a stunning decision.
Cahill has been open about his mental health struggles. He was diagnosed with depression in 2022. The travel and rigor of professional tennis for players and their teams is difficult, and that may be contributing to his decision to stop coaching after Sinner.
Darren Cahill just disclosed on ESPN that he was diagnosed with depression earlier this year.
DC spoke about the toll months in quarantine took on him personally & acknowledged that initially he thought the problem was medical, but it was in fact depression.
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) July 6, 2022
He is also employed by ESPN as an analyst during the network’s coverage of Grand Slam tournaments. It is not clear if Cahill will shut down his ESPN career at the same time as his coaching career and enjoy a complete retirement from the game.
