Jannik Sinner: World No. 1's coach Darren Cahill provides update as defending champion sweats on US Open fitness
Published 21/08/2025 at 10:05 GMT+1
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Jannik Sinner’s coach, Darren Cahill, is confident the world No. 1 will be fit in time for the defence of his US Open crown. The Italian’s participation in the final Grand Slam of the year was cast into doubt when he retired from the final of the Cincinnati Open and withdrew from the US Open mixed doubles. Sinner is bidding for a third major of 2025 after winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Jannik Sinner after the men's singles final against Carlos Alcaraz at the Cincinnati Open on August 18, 2025.
Image credit: Getty Images
Darren Cahill, coach of Jannik Sinner, has provided an update on the world No. 1, who was forced to retire in the first set of the Cincinnati Open final against Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner looked in discomfort throughout the encounter against his Spanish rival at the ATP 1000 event, losing the first five games of the match before withdrawing through illness.
The 24-year-old also pulled out of the star-studded US Open mixed doubles event as concerns grew over whether he would be fit in time to defend his singles crown at Flushing Meadows.
But Cahill believes Sinner will recover adequately to begin his quest for a third Grand Slam of the year following his Australian Open and Wimbledon victories.
"I spoke briefly with him last night. He was feeling a little better," Cahill told ESPN on Wednesday.
"He'll rest, that's the plan, and I hope he can get on the court on Thursday and start hitting some balls. We're confident he'll be fine."
It has been something of a whirlwind 2025 for Sinner. It began with an imperious triumph in Melbourne before he was banned for three months after returning positive tests for the banned substance clostebol in 2024.
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'Super sorry to disappoint you' - Sinner apologises to crowd after retiring from Cincinnati final
Video credit: SNTV
However, given the timing of the sanction and the way the tennis calendar works, Sinner was able to return to the tour in time for the French Open, where he looked set to win a maiden title.
The Italian was a break up and had three match points at 0-40 on the Alcaraz serve in the fourth set, but failed to convert and was then broken as the Spaniard pulled off an incredible comeback to prevail in a tie-break in the decider.
But he bounced back in style at the All England Club. After reaching the final, Sinner outclassed Alcaraz in four sets to gain revenge and end his rival’s Wimbledon reign.
That was the last time Sinner had been in action before his Cincinnati appearance, where he didn’t drop a set en route to another final against Alcaraz.
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Despite his illness, he will still be expected to make a run at another title in New York. Among those backing him, TNT Sports expert Mats Wilander has tipped him to go all the way and lift the trophy.
"If I had to pick a favourite, I would pick Jannik Sinner, because I think that there's less of a chance that he loses early in the tournament than it is for Carlos Alcaraz," Wilander said.
The US Open runs from August 24 to September 7.
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