Will Jannik Sinner’s 'Second Father' Ditch Him in 2026?

Jannik Sinner, the tennis world’s red-headed wunderkind, is having a season for the ages. He’s not just winning; he’s dominating, collecting Grand Slams like they’re Pokémon cards and making the other top players look like they’re playing with a frying pan. But as Sinner continues his march through the Vienna Open, a shadow looms over his seemingly unstoppable rise: the potential departure of his coach, Darren Cahill.

Let’s be real, Sinner has been on a tear. He’s snagged two Grand Slams, made the finals in the other two, and is generally making the ATP Tour his personal playground. Much of this meteoric success is credited to his super-coach duo, Simone Vagnozzi and, of course, the legendary Darren Cahill. Cahill, who joined the Sinner camp in 2022, is the guy who helped Agassi and Hewitt reach the top. Now, he’s apparently looking to hang up his travel pillow at the end of the 2025 season.

And Sinner? He’s basically getting ready to beg.

Sinner’s Plan: “Trying to Convince Him”

In a recent chat with ATP Media, Sinner laid out his master plan, which sounds less like a strategic negotiation and more like a kid trying to convince his dad to stay for one more bedtime story.

“We haven’t talked yet, to be honest,” Jannik admitted with a smile that probably hid a tiny bit of panic. “We said we are going to finish the year, and then we might ask him for a long chat, trying to convince him.”

You can almost picture it: Sinner, the World No. 2, sitting Cahill down with a PowerPoint presentation titled “Reasons You Shouldn’t Leave Me.” He even called Cahill a “second father,” which pulls at the heartstrings but also highlights the sheer desperation. “I will need a lot of hope for that,” he added. No kidding, Jannik.

Cahill has a family and, you know, a life outside of chasing a fuzzy yellow ball around the globe with a 24-year-old. Sinner seems acutely aware of the sacrifices Cahill makes, noting the “effort he puts in, working with a 24-year-old kid flying all over the world.” It’s a tough gig, even if it comes with front-row seats to watching one of the greatest talents of a generation.