"Big change in his body language": Jannik Sinner's coach Darren Cahill details physical & mental turmoil Italian went through after failed drugs tests

Jannik Sinner's coach, Darren Cahill, recently opened up about the physical and mental challenges the Italian went through after failing two drug tests. Sinner had tested positive for the prohibited substance clostebol twice in March during the 2024 Indian Wells Masters.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed that an independent tribunal had ruled that Sinner bore 'No Fault or Negligence' for the Anti-Doping Rule Violations. Following a thorough investigation and independent scientific advice, the World No.1 was cleared on August 15, 2024.

In a recent interview with ESPN, Cahill discussed the impact the positive drug tests and subsequent investigations had on Sinner. He said that it took a heavy toll on the 23-year-old both mentally and physically. He also talked about how Simona Halep, whom he had also coached, had gone through similar emotions during her doping ban.

"It's honestly been a tough situation. Everybody that goes through these situations really suffers well and truly. I from the outside watched Simona [Halep] go through her situation as well and there was nothing fair in that in watching her suffer through that as well. So, to be inside the fence on this one, it was really difficult for me and to watch him [Jannik Sinner] certainly suffer both mentally and physically," Cahill said [at 05:30].

"If you're not a Sinner fan you may not see too much difference in what he's been doing the last few months because he's still been playing quite well. But if you are a Jannik fan you would have seen a big change in his body language, physicality on the court and his excitement to be on the court. Yeah, he struggled and I think it's worn him down physically and mentally. He's gotten sick a couple of times, he got tonsillitis which was the reason why he missed the Olympics," he added.

Further, the Aussie expressed gratitude that no ban was imposed and that the truth came to light, absolving Jannik Sinner of any wrongdoing. Cahill also praised Sinner's professionalism and stated that he was someone who found himself in an "unfortunate" situation.

"We're not looking for any sorrow or anything because we're quite thankful that there is no ban attached, but I just want to stress that he's a great kid, he's incredibly professional, he's maybe the most professional young man that I've ever had the chance to work with. He would never ever intentionally do anything. He's just in a situation which is incredibly unfortunate and the truth came out (to be) exactly what happened - (there) is no fault, no negligence and hopefully he can get this behind him now and continue to play and get better.

"Jannik Sinner has made sure that everyone is incredibly professional in what they do so he's done as much as he possibly can to protect himself from this happening. And unfortunately it has happened to him and yeah, feel really bad for him that he has to go through this as well because he doesn't deserve this."

Cahill also said that despite the ruling that Sinner was not involved in any wrongdoing, there are still many players, fans, and critics who may not agree, something which he said was "alright" as people are entitled to their own opinion.

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Coach Darren Cahill says Jannik Sinner is 'honest to the core'

Jannik Sinner [Source: Getty]

In the aforementioned interview, Darren Cahill said:

"I think everybody's entitled to their opinion. I know this is a highly sensitive issue for everybody - all coaches, all players , all fans. He's [Jannik Sinner] a good man, he's been brought up by wonderful parents, he's honest to the core you can see that in the way he plays." [13:03]

"He's in a situation where he's the innocent victim of a situation which is highly unfortunate and he's paying a big price anyway with this coming out. Obviously he loses his points and his prize money from Indian Wells but that's completely fine as well and that's the rules and regulations," he added.

The coach further stated that he was happy with the ruling and said that he was confident that this scandal will not tarnish Jannik Sinner's overall legacy in the sport

"I'm very happy that they came back with this ruling because I think over time this won't affect his legacy in the game. I think people understand it when you read through the entire statement and what he went through and how they determined him to have no fault or no negligence. So, over time, that'll be fine. Had they come back and given him fault, that would have been a real issue and he would not have deserved that."

Sinner recently won the 2024 Cincinnati Open and will next compete at the US Open where he is the top seed.