Jannik Sinner coach Darren Cahill has stated that seeing Carlos Alcaraz win majors has motivated his charge who defeat all odds to claim his first Grand Slam title at 2024 Australian Open. The World No. 4 has become the third Italian man to win a major singles title.
The Australian believes Sinner can become a new superstar of the sport and feels he and Alcaraz are very similar frenemies. The 22-year-old has been coached by Simone Vagnozzi since he split with long-time coach Riccardo Piatti in Feb 2022 while joined forces with the youngster in June 2022.
Trailed by two sets to love, the sensational Italian came from behind to secure his maiden major singles title as he became the second player of his generation to clinch a Grand Slam crown after Carlos Alcaraz. 2-time Grand Slam Champion Alcaraz’s clinched his two majors at the 2022 US Open and 2023 Wimbledon.
In the post-tournament presser, Cahill was asked if he thinks Sinner could become tennis next superstar from the new generation of players.
“I do. I think this sport at the moment has a few superstars. I think Carlos is very similar to Jannik in both the way they play with the excitement level they bring to the game, and their personalities and their likability,” the renowned coach said.
“Both guys are incredibly alike off the court. They both like each other. They both have a friendly rivalry. They both light it up when they play each other. I don’t think any of their matches have ever been boring.
“I think we have some really good personalities in the game at the moment, and it’s important they keep winning. It’s important they do what Jannik was able to do today, and that’s to show a side of this young generation that are going to fight till the very end.
“They really want to make a name for themselves, and Jannik did that. Carlos has done that already a couple of times, the match he played at Wimbledon to beat Novak was just a special performance.
“Our job now is just to make sure that we keep him pumped up. It’s because it’s the start of the year, it’s a long year, and it’s important to enjoy the moment but when we get back onto the tennis court we will try to keep him in that good mindset and try to keep him winning.”
Cahill, who also coached Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt and Simona Halep to major success, thinks that younger players drive each other and Alcaraz’s huge early success has motivated Sinner to achieve the success at the biggest stages of the game.
“Hell, yeah. Absolutely (smiling). There’s no question seeing the young players come through and having success drives each and every one of them,” Cahill continued.
“Not just Jannik. They all desire it. They all want it. If they see one of their compatriots or someone of their generation having success, absolutely. Then you look into what they’re doing, why they’re having success, and how are we going to replicate it for us.
“Carlos has trail-blazed for a lot of young players. We’re thankful for that. He’s a delight to watch play, and a delight to watch him on court. We aspire to be as good as him and hopefully one day be better than him, but at the moment we’re chasing Carlos, and we’ll continue to do that.”