Jannik Sinner revealed during the Australian Open that his coach, Darren Cahill, would leave the team this season. The Italian never fails to praise Cahill’s impact, saying, “He brought me so many things.” Since July 2022, Cahill and longtime coach Simone Vagnozzi have helped Sinner rise to World No. 1 in June 2024. Under their guidance, he won three Grand Slam titles, the 2024 ATP Finals, four Masters 1000 crowns, and led Italy to two Davis Cup victories.
It made his farewell words even sadder: “It’s your last Australian Open as a coach, and I’m very, very happy to share this trophy with you.” However, as one door closes, another opens. Reports from Russian media outlet Bolshe suggest that Carlos Moya, Rafael Nadal’s former coach, will join Sinner’s team in 2026. But who is this legend?
The brains behind Rafa’s success and set to take on Sinner
Moya first met the Spaniard when Rafa was just 11 years old. Rafa was playing in a Nike Junior Tour tournament in Stuttgart, under-12 category, while Moya was competing in the Masters 1000 event in the same city. It wasn’t until 2016, when Nadal was struggling on court after two rough seasons, that Moya received a phone call.
After talking with the 30-year-old Nadal, he joined his team alongside Nadal’s longtime coach and uncle, Toni Nadal. He helped Rafael Nadal bounce back and stay at the top of his game. Under Moya’s guidance, Nadal won eight Grand Slam titles—including his historic “La Decima” at Roland Garros—eight ATP Masters 1000 trophies, and two year-end No. 1 rankings.
Moya’s magic was in helping Nadal diversify his game. He sharpened Rafa’s serve and encouraged him to play more aggressively, especially on hard courts. This shift let Nadal chase major titles well past 30, proving age is just a number.
Their winning partnership ended at the close of the 2024 season, as both Moya and Nadal stepped back from the court. Reflecting on his departure, the former coach said via the ATP website, “Now that everything is over, I have many memories of an incredible period of my life that will never be matched. It’s something I’ll always carry with me.”
That’s Moya’s coaching journey, but there’s more! Before guiding Nadal, he was a star player himself. And just like Rafa, he achieved huge success on the clay courts as well.
Carlos Moya’s journey as an ATP star
Debuting in 1995, Carlos Moya won his first title on clay at Buenos Aires. However, he later made history by winning Roland Garros in 1998! Tall and bandana-clad, Moya was polite but fierce, known for his confidence and attacking style. He wasn’t just a clay specialist—his strong serve and forehand helped him reach the 1997 Australian Open final, where he lost to Pete Sampras 6-2, 6-3, 6-3. Four of his 20 titles came on hard courts, including a big win over Lleyton Hewitt at the 2002 Cincinnati Masters.
1998 was Moya’s best year. He won his first ATP Masters title at Monte-Carlo and claimed his only Grand Slam by beating Alex Corretja 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 at Roland Garros. A highlight was his 6-1, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 quarter-final win over Marcelo Rios. Just after turning 23, he reached the US Open semi-finals and finished runner-up at the ATP World Tour Championships, despite losing a two-sets-to-love lead to Corretja. He briefly held the World No. 1 ranking in 1999, but a stress fracture at the US Open slowed him. Still, Moya won 15 more titles and made five more major quarter-finals, including Roland Garros in 2003, 2004, and 2007.
Moya’s greatest moment came in front of a record Seville crowd at the 2004 Davis Cup final. He beat Mardy Fish and then topped Andy Roddick to secure a 3-2 win for Spain. Then, a foot injury ended his career in November 2010.
It’s safe to say that Moya could bring valuable coaching lessons and personal experience to Jannik Sinner’s team. The Italian might not get to tease this star’s legacy as he did with Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi during the Australian Open.
Jannik shares his thoughts on his coaching team
After his semifinal victory over Ben Shelton, the 23-year-old was asked what his coaches brought to the table as he reached his second straight Australian Open final. But he stirred the pot when he playfully poked fun at their playing careers. “Well, honestly, I think every coach I went through, there is a huge amount of work we have done,” Sinner said, reflecting on his 2022 coaching changes.
Then, choosing to be cheeky, he added, “Simone is very tactical, he was ranked 161 and Darren was around 30, so it’s a bit different,” sparking laughter from the crowd. Jim Courier, the on-court interviewer, couldn’t resist joking, “That hurts!” as he watched the reaction from Sinner’s box. Quick to smooth things over, Sinner praised Cahill: “No, but he always said, even when he played, his goal was to be a coach. And I have to say, he’s a very, very good coach, he’s an amazing coach.”
It was all in good spirits. Sinner’s always upbeat during practice with his team, which includes trainer Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio. Off the court, they share fun moments like card games and even a hallway football match during a rain delay at the Italian Open.
With Darren Cahill’s departure still ahead, the 2025 season promises more excitement with him on board. Meanwhile, the French Open is just around the corner, and all eyes are on Jannik Sinner to push deeper after his semifinal run last year at Roland Garros. Will he finally capture his first French Open title with Cahill? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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