TURIN, Italy (AP) — Giant billboards of him adorn almost every square and street in the city. Fans came from all corners of Italy to see it. The crowd chants his name before, during and after each of his matches.
For many other players, all the attention – in the middle of a doping case in progressalso – maybe too difficult to handle.
This is not the case for Jannik sinner.
The humble tennis player from the German-speaking South Tyrol region, who eclipsed footballers last year to become Italian sport’s biggest star, keeps winning.
“You have to be a special type of person to be able to take all that pressure and come here and feel the pressure and still be able to perform at your best,” said Darren Cahill, one of Sinner’s co-coaches. , at The Associated. Press during the ATP Finals.
“It’s a huge milestone to be able to do what he’s done over the last 12 months and do it consistently, over and over again,” Cahill added. “But the more you win against the best players in the world, the more confidence you gain in yourself as a player. … It’s been a great learning year for him.
Sinner’s performance in doping case was ‘inspiring’
Sinner is playing at home for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he had tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March.
The World Anti-Doping Agency appealed an independent tribunal’s decision to clear Sinner in September and the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to make a final decision on the case next year.
“He’s playing with a clear conscience and he’s been doing it since April,” Cahill said. “We don’t know what the future holds and we’ll just continue to try to embrace it and support it.” … He was an inspiration. Working with him right now and seeing him accomplish what he has accomplished is pretty special.
Sinner to step up work with new coaches in offseason
Sinner’s explanation was that performance enhancer banned entered his system unintentionally through a massage performed by his physiotherapist, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat his own severed finger. The spray was given to the physiotherapist by Sinner’s fitness trainer.
Sinner fired the physiotherapist and fitness trainer and added two new members to his team, Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, who both previously worked with Novak Djokovic.
The real work with Panichi and Badio will begin after the end of the season, in the Davis Cup final next week.
“You don’t win two Grand Slams if you’re not physically prepared,” said Simone Vagnozzi, Sinner’s other co-coach, referring to the player’s titles at the Australian and U.S. Opens. Open this year. “But Jannik is still only 23, so there is still a lot of work to do, and not just physically.”
Cahill says Sinner and Alcaraz will play ’70 times’
The only player capable of beating Sinner more than once this year is Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz has won all three official meetings in 2024, but Sinner gained some revenge in the title match at the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia last month.
The two men could meet in the semi-final on Saturday.
“Carlos and Jannik are going to play 70 times over the next 15 years,” Cahill said. “Every time you get the chance to step on the field with Carlos, it’s a great opportunity to play against the best, learn and continue to improve. It’s like going to school, doing your homework. Keep learning and try to improve each time.
Sinner and Alcaraz have already played 10 official matches, with Alcaraz leading the rivalry 6-4.
If they meet 70 times, it would break the men’s Open era record of 60 meetings between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
“The style of play that they both have, the enthusiasm, the joy that they bring to the field, it’s not just up to us to sit there and be Jannik’s coaches,” he said. Cahill said. “We are also fans of this game, so we can enjoy it.
Cahill also coached Agassi, Hewitt and Halep to the front row
Cahill calls Vagnozzi Sinner “the head coach” and the “lead voice.”
“He’s the one who provides all the information,” Cahill said.
But Cahill brings experience. Sinner is the fourth player he has coached at No.1 after Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and Simona Halep.
And probably the last.
At 59, Cahill says Sinner is the last player he will coach “full time.”
How long could Cahill continue with Sinner?
“Whatever he wants,” Cahill said. “There is always a good time to have a new voice, a new inspiration, a new pair of eyes. … (But) everything is going very well with us at the moment.”
Sinner rides a Vespa to train in Monaco
Cahill recently posted a photo on Instagram of Sinner driving Badio to practice on a red Vespa in Monaco.
Could riding a scooter in a city with hairpin turns made famous by its Formula 1 race be risky for the top ranked player?
“Most tennis players have a little bit of risk in their lives,” Cahill said with a laugh.
Sinner won junior titles as a skier before transitioning to tennis full-time and hitting the slopes in the offseason.
“They play a fast sport. It’s an emotional sport,” Cahill added. “So sometimes you need to relieve a little tension. He is a very sensible young man and will not do anything that will jeopardize his career in the long term.
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