"Just yesterday we lost 20 dollars each": Coach of Sinner reveals Italian's hunger to win from rankings down to card games
ATP
Italy’s tennis star Jannik Sinner’s coach has praised the player
for his attitude towards the game.
The 20-year-old is one of the most highly-rated young
players in men’s tennis alongside Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner’s coach Simone Vagnozzi was recently quoted in a
report where he heaped praise on the current world number seven, who according
to him is eager to win everything in tennis.
"I've known Jannik since he was 14,” he said. “He
played against one of my junior players, so I saw him for the first time there.
We met many times at tournaments when I coached Marco Cecchinato and Stefano
Travaglia. It's really nice coaching him because he's a really fun guy.
“He has a really good character. It's easy to coach Jannik
also because he wants to improve a lot and always go on the pitch with a smile
and everything else; so, for a coach it's really nice."
Vagnozzi further went on to reveal details about how he
along with Darren Cahill works as a team to provide the best facilities and
training material to prepare for tougher tasks ahead.
"Normally we are two coaches in the team, me and Darren
Cahill,” he said. “Sometimes we are together, sometimes we are alone with
Jannik. Normally I take care of the technical things on the pitch. Giacomo and
Umberto do the physical things first, then we go on the pitch and we play for
an hour and a half, usually with another player.
“We play some points, do some exercises and in the afternoon
we do an hour of technique. Serve, volley, slice. Normally this is the routine.
Vagnozzi appreciates working with a coach as well-regarded as Cahill and
believes the broader team Sinner has assembled is a good foundation to help him
reach greater heights.
“The relationship is
really good. Darren is a really good person and also has an incredible work
record. Umberto the athletic trainer who I have known for many years because we
worked together with Cecchinato and Travaglia. The physio Giacomo is new, but
he is a really good, young guy. Everything is working fine at the moment."
Vagnozzi continued about his will to win: "Jannik wants to win everything. Just yesterday we lost 20 dollars each, Darren and I, because he hit the ball with his serve on the first try. If we tell him: You get 20 euros if you do it the first time and 15 euros if you do it the second time! Jannik always does it the first time!"
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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