Darren Cahill has revealed that taking Italy’s young tennis
star
Jannik Sinner skiing before the start of the 2024 season was a method
to keep his mind and body fresh ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.
The 22-year-old is often regarded as one of the most
highly-rated young players currently playing in the circuit alongside Spain’s
Carlos Alcaraz and America’s Ben Shelton. Cahill, who is currently coaching
Sinner, was recently quoted in a report where he stated that the decision to go skiing before the start of a new season was a well-calculated one.
“The Davis Cup made the difference: 5 more matches in
Malaga, the competitive season ended on 26 November,” he said. “With joy, but
further than we thought. We considered not stressing Jannik Sinner with a
tournament before Melbourne to protect his mind and body.
“It is the strategy that, in the five years that I coached
him, I used with Agassi. This way he has more margin for recovery, and skiing
these days in South Tyrol, in moderation, is an integral part of the boy's
well-being. Starting fresh will be crucial.”
Sinner had a more than decent time on the court in 2023,
especially in the second half as he helped Italy in winning their first Davis
Cup title in more than four decades.