Archive of posts tagged analyst

Sinner and Cahill a Go for 2026?

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The Italian won a bet, and he wants to make his Aussie coach pay up. analyst

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday July 15, 2025

In January of this year, we reported that Jannik Sinner and Darren Cahill would not be working together after the 2025 season. On Sunday we learned that the split might be as clean as anticipated.

Tennis Express

Asked about the future of the duo after Sinner won his maiden Wimbledon final on Sunday, Cahill seemed to hint that the partnership might not be ending. "I don't want to answer this," Cahill responded. "You know what? You just need to ask Jannik that."

Sinner wasn’t asked in English, but in the Italian section of his press conference the question was put to him.

"We made a bet before the final: I told him that if I won, I could choose whether he could stay or not at the end of the year. Now the choice is mine!” the 23-year-old Italian said.


Hard to tell if he was serious or not, but he has laid out a potential plan which would allow Cahill to continue coaching and advising from a distance.

“If I choose to stay with him, he probably won't travel so much anymore, that's normal,” Sinner said. “I've always told him I'd like to have him in Australia, because things are going well. Plus, the season is still long, there are still so many tournaments to go, and I'll see him a lot more… But I won the bet, now we'll see!”

It makes sense in a lot of ways, and not only in Australia. Cahill is contracted to work at the Grand Slams as an analyst, so he’s already there at the four biggest tournaments. Why not continue to tap one of the greatest coaching minds that the sport has ever seen?

“I've always looked for an honest person, who gives me so much not only on the tennis court, but also in life outside, both in success and disappointment,” Sinner added.

Toni Nadal: "Exceptional" Alcaraz Has Skills to Surpass Rafa Nadal's Career

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"I am not a fortune teller, but he has the [skills] to surpass [Rafa Nadal]," Toni Nadal said.Carlos Alcaraz

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, June 13, 2025
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty

Toni Nadal has spent his coaching career focused on the tennis ball not a crystal ball.

Still, watching an "exceptional" Carlos Alcaraz out-duel world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the longest Roland Garros final in history compels Toni Nadal to a powerful conclusion: Alcaraz has the skills to match—and perhaps surpass—King of Clay Rafael Nadal's career.

Tennis Express

Toni Nadal, uncle and original coach of Rafa Nadal, met Spanish media at "The Battle Of Stars" celebrity golf pro-am in Mallorca on Thursday.

Uncle Toni cites a few reasons why he believes Alcaraz can achieve a career similar to 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal: the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner is exceptionally skilled, an explosive athlete—and for now the 22-year-old Spaniard's primary rival is Sinner whereas Rafa Nadal had to confront two fellow legends in Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

"[Carlitos] is an exceptional player who has all the [skills] in the world," Toni Nadal told Spanish media in comments published by AS.com. He's the fastest, he hits it very hard, he hits it well with a drive, with a backhand, the serve has improved a lot…

"I see him as a great player and on top of that I think he has an advantage, today he doesn't have the best Federer or the best Djokovic as rivals. He has a very good one which is Jannik Sinner, but I think the others for him are quite [manageable]."

During the record-setting five hour, 29-minute Roland Garros final on Sunday, TNT analyst and Hall of Famer John McEnroe created controversy—and sparked some backlash from Rafa Nation— declaring the stratospheric level both Alcaraz and Sinner produced would beat prime Nadal in a hypothetical RG final.

"You took a look at them bringing their A-game right now — I'm saying Sinner and Alcaraz against Nadal on clay — you would make a serious argument with both guys that they would be favored to beat Nadal, at his best," McEnroe said. "Do I think they're going to reach, 20, 24 titles either one of them?

"No. Because I think that plateau is so hard it's almost impossible; there's more depth in the game, bigger hitters, and more things happen."

Toni Nadal took his analysis a step further than McEnroe saying Alcaraz, if healthy, can match and perhaps "surpass" his Olympic doubles partner's career.

"I am not a fortune teller, but he has the [skills] to surpass [Rafa Nadal]," Toni Nadal said.