WATCH: Jannik Sinner's coach Darren Cahill gets teary-eyed after Italian's emotional message to him in Australian Open victory speech

Coach Darren Cahill was unable to fight back the tears after Jannik Sinner's dominant victory over Alexander Zverev in the 2025 Australian Open final. Sinner's 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3 win was plotted by the Australian coach, alongside Simone Vagnozzi, and in his post-match interview, he confirmed Cahill's retirement from coaching at the end of this year.

Cahill coached Leyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi in the 2000s and he assisted Andy Murray, Ana Ivanovic, Fernando Verdasco, Daniela Hantuchová, Sorana Cîrstea. he took Simona Halep to WTA World No. 1 and the 2018 French Open title. He joined Sinner's coaching team in July 2022 and has overseen all three of the Italian's Grand Slam wins.

Cahill announced his intention to stop coaching earlier in the tournament, but Sinner's post-final suggestion that he might be persuaded to stay on had Cahill in tears. Sinner addressed Cahill with the trophy in his hands:

"I know also a part of the team is at home and then my family and everyone, but it's amazing to, to achieve these things, but mostly to share this with you guys and...I know it's your, probably, maybe...maybe I try to convince you...but it's your last Australian Open as a coach, and I'm very, very happy to share this trophy with you."

In the final, Cahill's influence was easy to spot, as Sinner played immaculate tennis to disarm Zverev's power game. The Italian ATP World No. 1 soaked up the German's awesome 130mph serve, ensuring that when he was able to return it, he then prolonged the rallies, forcing Zverev into unforced errors. Sinner won 75% of the points that lasted 10 shots or more.

Jannik Sinner's coach Darren Cahill is one of the world's foremost coaches

2025 Australian Open - Day 11 - Source: Getty

For his work with Jannik Sinner, Darren Cahill shared the Coach of the Year award at the 2023 ATP Awards with Simone Vagnozzi, who will take over full coaching duties at the end of this year.

It had been rumored that Cahill had simply had enough of traveling and wanted to spend more time at home with his family, but he told Eurosport earlier in the tournament that he simply felt his time had come to step away:

"For a coach and his player to have a collaboration that works, it takes around three, four, or even five years of working together. I'm going to stop coaching, but Jannik is in very good hands with Simone, who is doing an excellent job. They'll be working together over the next few years, and I'm sure that their player-coach relationship will evolve positively over the coming seasons so that they both continue to enjoy a great deal of success."

Given Cahill's tearful reaction at the end of the final, and Sinner's plea to stay on, it might not be the end of the relationship. At 59, and after a long career as both player and coach, Cahill has nothing left to prove. Should this year be his last, the tennis world will miss him.