Jannik Sinner eyes Australian Open return
Jannik Sinner is targeting a return to competitive tennis at the Australian Open, though he remains without a precise date for his comeback as he recovers from a lingering right knee injury.
The Italian player, who has been sidelined since July 12, confirmed his recovery progress during an event at the Allianz Tower in Milan, as reported by gazzetta.it. During the event, Valentina Sestan, head of strategic CEO project at Allianz, noted, “A Jannik ci unisce la costante spinta al miglioramento, all’eccellenza.”
Sinner, currently ranked number two in the ATP standings, noted that while he is following all prescribed medical protocols, he is exercising caution to avoid the risks of a premature return. “The goal is to play in Australia, maybe do a tournament before,” Sinner said.
“But we must be cautious and patient because rushing can be risky.” He revealed that previous attempts to return at the US Open and in China were delayed on medical advice. Reflecting on his season, he noted, “E alla fine la stagione, con le vittorie a Indian Wells, Miami, Roma e Wimbledon non è da buttar via.”
Staff changes and the transition to Magnus Norman
The Milan event marked a transition for the 25-year-old’s coaching staff, with Sinner confirming that Magnus Norman will join his team in early December to replace Darren Cahill. According to Corriere della Sera, Sinner described Norman as someone who shares a similar philosophy to Cahill and is prepared to work within the existing team structure.
Sinner emphasized that he does not intend to overhaul his training methods, stating that the goal is to add “1% every year to improve as a player.” Cahill, who has served as a mentor to Sinner, will remain a contact for the athlete moving forward.
Milano Finanza reported that Sinner acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, noting that for the first time in his career, he has had to cede control over his schedule and physical activity to his medical team. He also shared that he exchanged messages of encouragement with peers like Matteo Berrettini, Jack Draper, and Carlos Alcaraz while they were sidelined.
Observations on the ATP tour
While away from the court, Sinner has kept a limited watch on the tour, admitting that spectating is difficult for him. He offered praise for his peers, including Flavio Cobolli’s qualification for the ATP Finals and Alexander Zverev’s ascent to the world number one ranking.
Sinner also commented on Carlos Alcaraz’s recent performance, noting that he was pleased to see the Spaniard return to form following his own recovery from a wrist injury. Alcaraz recently triumphed at the Masters 1000 in Paris, defeating Ben Shelton 7-6, 7-5. Sinner is expected to be present in Turin during the ATP Finals for promotional activities, despite his inability to compete.
Interests beyond the court
During his time in Milan, Sinner crossed paths with nine-time motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi. Rossi told RaiNews that the two met at their hotel and discussed Sinner’s recovery, noting that the tennis player appeared in good spirits despite the persistent discomfort in his knee.
Sinner expressed a deep affinity for motorsport, which he watches more closely than other sports. He specifically highlighted the performance of Kimi Antonelli, describing him as a talent who has worked hard to reach the top level of racing. Regarding his own downtime, Sinner noted, “La mattina vado in palestra, poi torno a casa e mi metto sul simulatore.”
Allianz launches new communication campaigns with Sinner
The event at the Allianz Tower also served to present new communication campaigns. Allianz is launching “Con te, per tutta la partita” immediately, which will be followed by the global “Be Like Sinner” campaign starting next year. The company aims to highlight values of trust and long-term commitment through their partnership with the tennis star.
Jannik Sinner makes ‘impossible’ confession as he gives injury update and sets Australian Open goal ⬇️#JannikSinner https://t.co/tdKFt0Nqwl pic.twitter.com/NiRqLMQz1t
Sinner targets return at Six Kings Slam
- Sinner has been sidelined since July 12, following his participation at Wimbledon.
- Magnus Norman will replace Darren Cahill in Sinner’s coaching staff starting in December.
- Alexander Zverev has secured the year-end number one ranking, according to RaiNews.
- Sinner is currently targeting a return at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh in late December.
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