Jannik Sinner is into the Nitto ATP Finals semifinals for the third season in a row after winning his first two round-robin matches comfortably, without dropping a single set. While it has been smooth sailing on the court for the Italian, who has now won 28 consecutive matches on indoor hard courts, off the court, the noise surrounding his positive drug tests has resurfaced.

The discussions gained traction earlier this week when former World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, in an interview with Piers Morgan, pointed out “red flags” in Sinner’s case. Djokovic criticized the handling of the case while maintaining that Sinner did not deliberately use a banned substance.

Cahill’s Cryptic Response to Growing Speculation

Djokovic’s remarks sparked another wave of fan and media reaction, with people both agreeing and disagreeing with the Serbian great. The renewed debate has once again placed Sinner under scrutiny.

Now, Sinner’s coach, Australian Darren Cahill, has seemingly responded to the noise with a cryptic message on social media—possibly directed at Djokovic himself. “Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world.”

The quote, shared on Instagram, has been widely interpreted as Cahill’s way of urging empathy amid the controversy surrounding his player.

Cahill Confirms Return for 2026 Season

Earlier this week, Cahill also confirmed that he will continue coaching Sinner in the 2026 season, reversing his earlier decision to retire at the end of 2025.

While the decision was not entirely surprising, Sinner had publicly pleaded several times this year for the partnership to continue, Cahill revealed that the final call came after Sinner’s Wimbledon triumph. The two even made a friendly wager before the final.

“We had a little bet before the Wimbledon final and he gets to decide what I do next year, so it’s not really a question for me; if he wants me to stick around next year, I’ll be here for him.”

As Sinner continues to thrive on the court amid external pressure, the unity between player and coach appears stronger than ever. With Cahill staying on and Sinner showing no signs of slowing down, the team’s focus remains firmly on tennis and on chasing the biggest titles in the sport.

Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – Imagn Images