“Doping is miles away from his character”: Boris Becker stands firm on Jannik Sinner’s integrity

Boris Becker has revealed a little-known story about how he almost became Jannik Sinner’s coach — and how a twist of fate led the Italian to the team that has since guided him to world No. 1 status. Speaking candidly about that period, the German legend explained that legal uncertainty forced him to step back from what could have been one of the most remarkable collaborations in modern tennis.

At the time, Becker was facing sentencing in London and didn’t know whether his freedom — or his future in tennis — would continue. Instead of accepting a role he couldn’t fully commit to, he took a different path that would indirectly change Sinner’s career.

“Two months later, I was waiting for the verdict in London,” Becker recalled. “I told Jannik: I don’t know how it will end, I can’t take the commitment. But I didn’t want to leave him stranded, so I gave him a couple of names. One was Darren Cahill. For me, the best.”

What might have been a temporary setback became the beginning of something historic. Becker’s suggestion led to the formation of Sinner’s current coaching team, Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi — a duo that has shaped one of the most complete and mentally stable players on the ATP Tour.

Becker says he immediately recognised Sinner’s rare mentality and potential. Even when the Italian was still polishing his serve and footwork, his psychological strength stood out above everything else. “I was convinced Jannik could become the strongest,” Becker said. “At that time he had to improve his serve and footwork, but he was unique — mentally, he was already a phenomenon.”

Now that prediction has aged beautifully. With four Grand Slam titles at 24 years old and a commanding presence on hard and indoor courts, Sinner has justified every word of that early faith. Becker, however, made clear that his own chapter as a travelling coach is behind him, saying family and new business projects have shifted his priorities.

Reflecting on how far the Italian has come, Becker had nothing but admiration for the partnership that grew from his advice. He praised both Cahill’s strategic mind and Vagnozzi’s underappreciated tactical insight, suggesting that few teams today work with such balance and precision.

“Four Slams at 24: I don’t think I could have done better than Cahill and Vagnozzi,” Becker admitted. “When Simone was chosen, he wasn’t famous, but few understand the game like him. The success of Team Sinner speaks for itself.”

The comment underlines how Becker, despite his competitive nature, holds genuine respect for those guiding the new generation — and Sinner’s camp, in particular, as a model of collaboration and focus.

Becker also spoke openly about doping controls and integrity in tennis, emphasising Sinner’s clean record and reliability. While the topic remains sensitive in sports, the six-time Grand Slam champion left no doubt about where he stands.

“Yes. Doping is miles away from his character,” he said. “I trust him completely. I’m more suspicious of players who suddenly explode for one season or look phenomenal for two or three tournaments. Things like that smell a bit. But Jannik has been among the best for years.”

He added that the level of anti-doping control in tennis today is extremely invasive, describing it as “an enormous restriction of freedom” for top players who must constantly report their whereabouts. Even so, Becker believes Sinner’s rise has been built on nothing but discipline, talent, and a razor-sharp mind under pressure.