Off the court, Sinner has also encountered obstacles.
Such is the steadiness he has displayed over the past year, Sinner has maintained his position at the top of the world rankings despite serving a three-month suspension for violating anti-doping regulations earlier in the year.
Sinner accepted the suspension after the World Anti-Doping Agency determined he “did not intend to gain an unfair advantage” but still held responsibility for the carelessness of members of his support team, after testing positive for the prohibited substance clostebol on two occasions in March 2024.
The suspension occurred between his successful Australian Open title defense in January and the French Open – now the only major trophy standing between him and joining the elite group of nine men to have completed a career Grand Slam.
Wimbledon women’s champion Iga Swiatek also served a one-month suspension after testing positive for the heart medication trimetazidine, which the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) accepted was caused by unintended contamination.
Cahill had previously indicated that Sinner was worn down both physically and mentally by the investigation.
“This year has presented difficulties for everyone involved,” Cahill stated on Sunday.
“The individual you see on the tennis court – with that level of focus and attention to detail – is not the same person away from the court.
“He’s an easygoing guy who is constantly joking around and enjoys being in the company of those around him.
“He’s cooking, making messes, making mistakes constantly, and we’re laughing about it.”
With Sinner’s career now linked to that of Alcaraz, it seems likely they will push each other to even greater achievements – and Sinner has definitively shown he is equal to the challenge.
