Jannik Sinner announced plans to make his competitive return at the Australian Open, targeting the event scheduled for January. The Italian tennis player has been absent from competition since defending his Wimbledon title in July due to a knee injury. During a press conference in Milan, the 25-year-old indicated he may participate in additional tournaments leading up to the Australian Open, though he emphasized the importance of a cautious approach to his recovery.
Sinner noted that he previously won the Australian Open title in both 2024 and 2025, though he reached the semi-finals in the most recent edition before falling to Novak Djokovic. His extended absence has resulted in him ceding the world No. 1 ranking to Alexander Zverev. The five-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged receiving support from fellow players including Britain’s Jack Draper, Matteo Berrettini, and Carlos Alcaraz during his injury layoff. Draper himself has also ruled out competing before 2027 following his own injury-affected season.
At the event, Sinner appeared alongside coach Darren Cahill, whom he separated from last week after four years of collaboration. Sweden’s Magnus Norman has been brought into Sinner’s coaching structure, joining existing coach Simone Vagnozzi. Cahill praised Sinner’s commitment and expressed confidence in Norman’s hiring, citing the coach’s track record of player development. Sinner described Cahill as a “second dad” and indicated that the relationship remains intact despite the professional parting.
During the press conference, Sinner also congratulated fellow Italian Kimi Antonelli for becoming the youngest Formula 1 World Champion following a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Sinner emphasized his passion for motorsport, noting that watching MotoGP and Formula 1 provides significant motivation during his rehabilitation period.
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