Australia, Killer, Sinner: Everything you always wanted to know about Darren Cahill (but never had time to find out)
A former player, a leading coach and a tennis analyst on television, Darren Cahill is one of the most prominent personalities on the tennis circuit
Darren Cahill in Adelaide in 2020
Image Credit: Zuma / Panoramic
Who is Darren Cahill?
Darren Cahill is a former player and one of the leading coaches in the tennis circuit currently. He was born on 2nd October 1965, which makes him 58 years old currently.
Who is Darren Cahill currently coaching?
As of January 2024, Cahill is currently part of Jannik Sinner‘s team. The pair started working together in the middle of 2022.
Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi are both working on the Sinner team and the duo were voted Coach of the Year in the 2023 ATP Awards for their work with the Italian.
“My role is more about the experience and how to help him mentally in these big moments, and to make sure that we’re working on the right stuff that eventually is going to get him to the place we want to be,” Cahill said as quoted by the ATP website.
Who has Darren Cahill coached in the past?
Cahill first came to prominence as a coach when he worked with Aussie youngster Lleyton Hewitt, whom he guided to the world No 1 ranking.
After that, Cahill coached Andre Agassi, who became the oldest player ever to be ranked world No 1 while working with the Australian. Cahill was part of the Adidas Player Development Program after Agassi retired in 2006 and worked with several players, including Andy Murray, Ana Ivanovic, Fernando Verdasco, Daniela Hantuchova, Sorana Cîrstea, and Simona Halep.
He joined the Halep team, coaching the Romanian to the No 1 spot and the 2018 French Open title and then rejoined her team in 2020. He started working with American Amanda Anisimova in January 2022 and then joined Jannik Sinner’s team in July 2022, with whom he is currently working.
Was Darren Cahill a player prior to becoming a coach?
Yes, Cahill was a pro on the ATP Tour, peaking at No 22 in the singles rankings and winning 2 ATP singles titles. His best performance at the Slams was a semi-final finish at the 1988 US Open, where he beat Boris Becker and Aaron Krickstein before going down to eventual champion Mats Wilander.
In doubles, he peaked at No 10 in the world rankings, winning 13 ATP titles, reaching the final of the 1987 Wimbledon mixed doubles event (with Nicole Provis) and the 1989 Australian Open men’s doubles event (with fellow Aussie Mark Kratzmann).
Cahill was dogged by chronic knee injuries during his career and after 10 operations, he retired as a player in 1995.
Why is Cahill nicknamed ‘Killer’?
During an interview, Cahill, known to be one of the nicest guys on tour, was asked about the origination of his nickname ‘Killer’ and the Australian responded, “When I was about 15 or 16, I was the smallest kid in my class, but a pretty good tennis player, and because I was beating up on the taller, bigger kids on court, I got the nickname Little Killer. ‘Little’ got dumped after I grew about nine inches in one year when I was 17.”
Is Cahill also a television anaylst?
Cahill works as a tennis analyst and is regularly seen commentating for the Grand Slam events on ESPN and Channel 7.
Who all are in his family?
Cahill married his wife Victoria in 2000. The couple have two children, Benjamin and Tahlia.
Is Darren Cahill on social media?
Cahill is active on social media. As of January 29, 2024, he is followed more than 148,300 people on Twitter and on Instagram, where he is followed by 62,400 people.
