“It was wonderful, full of emotions”: Jannik Sinner recalls Simona Halep training session after Sunshine Double

Jannik Sinner’s dominant run at the Miami Open, where he secured the title without dropping a set, extended a sustained period of success at Masters 1000 level and reinforced his position among the leading players on the tour. The World No. 2 completed the Sunshine Double, becoming the first player in nine years to win both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season.

The Italian’s victory over Jiri Lehecka in the final marked his seventh Masters 1000 title and his second in Miami, extending a sequence that now includes 17 consecutive wins at this level. His consistency across the tournament, combined with controlled execution in key moments, has become a defining feature of his current form.

Beyond the immediate results, Sinner’s reflections also pointed to influences developed outside competition, including a training session with former World No. 1 Simona Halep during the off-season in Dubai at the end of 2025. The Romanian, who previously worked with Darren Cahill—Sinner’s current coach—remains a relevant reference within his broader development environment.

Speaking after his Miami Open title, Sinner revisited that period as part of the process behind his recent progression, linking off-season work to the level he has been able to sustain across consecutive Masters events.

The Italian had to convince Cahill to remain with his team for an additional year after the Australian had indicated that 2025 would likely be his final season on the tour. The former coach of multiple World No. 1 players had planned to step away to prioritise family life, but Sinner persuaded him to extend his involvement through 2026.

Cahill was in Dubai with Sinner during the off-season, preparing for the new campaign, and played a role in facilitating training sessions with two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep, who has been inactive on the tour since early 2025.

“It was wonderful, full of emotions because I haven’t seen her very often on the circuit,” the World No. 2 said to DigiSport. “Talking to her helped me a lot to understand how to manage certain things. On court she is wonderful, a great champion. It was a very nice moment. Thank you.”

The reference to “managing certain things” aligns with Sinner’s current development phase, particularly his ability to maintain stability across extended runs in major tournaments. That aspect has been evident in recent weeks, with the Italian winning 34 of his last 36 matches and extending his sequence of consecutive sets at Masters 1000 level.

The link between Halep and Sinner is further reinforced through Darren Cahill, who coached the Romanian during her most successful period and continues to play a central role in Sinner’s team. The Italian emphasised the importance of that continuity, particularly as he transitions into a phase defined by consistency rather than breakthrough.

Sinner confirmed that Cahill is expected to remain part of his coaching structure into 2026, underlining the value of experience and stability at the top level. His collaboration with Simone Vagnozzi remains a key component of that balance. “Darren is a key part of our team; he keeps us united. His experience is fundamental in special moments, especially when things don’t go as we expect. After the ATP Finals, we had a good conversation. We took a step forward and everything worked well.”

He also highlighted the internal dynamic within his coaching team, pointing to trust and complementary roles as factors behind his current level of performance. “I’m happy he can stay one more year; it’s very important at the level I am now. The combination with Simone is excellent. They trust each other a lot, and his decision to stay with me is the right one.”