Tennis

Jannik Sinner eyes late-December return at Saudi exhibition to kickstart Australian Open preparation

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Nov 11, 2026, 03:31 IST

After a lengthy injury layoff, Jannik Sinner is targeting a return to the court at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, as he prepares for the upcoming Australian Open and integrates a new coaching setup.

Jannik Sinner eyes late-December return at Saudi exhibition to kickstart Australian Open preparation

Jannik Sinner is mapping out his return to professional tennis, with the five-time Grand Slam champion targeting a late-December exhibition appearance in Saudi Arabia to build momentum ahead of the Australian Open. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since his victory over Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final, having missed the U.S. Open and the remainder of the season due to a persistent right knee injury.

Speaking at a sponsor event in Milan on Tuesday, Sinner emphasised that while his primary goal is to be competition-ready for the Australian swing, he is prioritising his long-term health. The Italian, who recently saw his 95-week reign as world No. 1 end as Zverev ascended to the top spot, noted that he must adhere to strict medical protocols to avoid aggravating his knee. The Six Kings Slam, which was previously postponed, serves as his intended testing ground to regain match fitness.

A New Chapter with Coaching Changes

The period of inactivity has prompted significant structural changes within Sinner’s camp. Last week, the Italian confirmed that coach Darren Cahill would be departing, with Magnus Norman, the former mentor of Stan Wawrinka, set to join the team next month. Norman will work alongside Simone Vagnozzi, with Sinner expressing confidence that the transition will maintain the consistency of his current training philosophy.

Reflecting on the departure of Cahill, who joined his team in June 2022 and oversaw his rise to the top of the rankings, Sinner described the coach as a mentor who became like a second father. Cahill, who was present in Milan, expressed his full support for the appointment of Norman, noting that he intends to step back completely to allow the new partnership to flourish without interference.

Perspective and Future Ambitions

The enforced layoff has been the longest of Sinner’s career, a challenge he admits has been difficult to navigate. Beyond the physical rehabilitation, which involves daily gym sessions and time spent on a racing simulator, Sinner has found the lack of control over his schedule to be a strange experience. However, he believes the time away has fundamentally shifted his perspective on the sport.

Sinner acknowledged that he previously took his success for granted, viewing tournament victories as a natural progression. Now, he feels a renewed hunger to compete and a deeper appreciation for the effort required to lift major trophies. With his sights set on a return to the court, the Italian is focused on incremental improvements, aiming to extend his career for another decade or more while rediscovering the competitive drive that defined his rise to the top of the game.