“Almost my second dad”: Sinner on losing Cahill, and why Norman is the right fit

November 15, 2026

Back in Turin on Sunday for a ceremony honouring the 30 world No 1s in ATP history, Jannik Sinner, ruled out of the ATP Finals by a right knee injury, explained what he will miss most about Darren Cahill and why Magnus Norman suits him. The Italian, who wants to play for another 10 to 15 years, is still aiming to return in Australia.

Jannik Sinner, ATP Finals 2026 | © Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse/Shutterstock/SIPA

Jannik Sinner will miss the man even more than the coach. Talking on Sunday in Turin about Darren Cahill, who leaves his team at the end of the season, the Italian said the Australian had become “almost my second dad”, and explained that Magnus Norman, who joins his team, is “a person very similar to Darren”.

“What I will surely miss is the personal side,” Sinner said in Italian. “We met at the beginning, we got on straight away, and from there he practically became almost my second dad.”

Norman and the extra 1%

Sinner also explained why he chose Norman, the former world No 2. The Swede will not arrive to turn everything upside down.

“Magnus is a person very similar to Darren. Obviously everyone is different, but he is someone who accepts the way we already work,” he said. “That is important, because now the important thing is not to change everything again, but to add this 1%, 1% every year, to improve as a player.”

“Another 10 to 15 years”

On his knee, Sinner stuck to the line he has held since the end of his season: patience first, with the long term in mind.

“What I miss is exactly what I love doing, playing tennis. But right now it is very important to take care of my body, because I want to play for another 10 to 15 years,” he said. “The goal is to go to Australia, maybe even to play a tournament before. But, I repeat, I have to respect the protocols at the moment. If we rush things a little, a bigger problem can come up afterwards.”

On court for the No 1s

Sinner spoke during a public appearance before a ceremony on the court of the Inalpi Arena, held to mark the 30 men who have been world No 1 in ATP history, the latest being Alexander Zverev. Earlier in the day, the German had opened the tournament with a straight-sets win over Rafael Jodar.

Sinner has not played since he beat Zverev to win Wimbledon on July 12. His team announced on October 6 that his season was over so he could be treated for inflammation in his right knee, ruling him out of the ATP Finals in Turin, where he was the two-time defending champion. His planned return is the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Riyadh, from December 27 to 30, which has not been officially confirmed.