The ATP started shortlisting the top coach or coaches of the year in 2024. Magnus Norman, Stan Wawrinka’s coach at the moment, got the honour in 2016. After the Swiss great won the US Open that year. Others who have earned the prize include Marian Vajda, Novak Djokovic’s former coach, and Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Alcaraz’s current coach. Ferrero received the award in 2022 when Alcaraz won the US Open as a 19-year-old.
Sinner’s head coaches, Darren Cahill, and Simone Vagnozzi, received last year’s prize following the Italian team’s outstanding 2023 season. It included winning the Canadian Open and placing second to Djokovic in the ATP Finals. He also helped Italy win the Davis Cup. There was great debate regarding Djokovic’s then-coach Goran Ivanisevic not being chosen last year, despite the Serbian’s outstanding year, which included three Grand Slams and the ATP Finals.
Djokovic has questioned the decision. Sinner and his team, on the other hand, may be feeling the same way Djokovic did last year. Despite having the most statistically successful ATP season, the world’s number-one coach was not even on the shortlist. Sinner won his first Grand Slam victories at the Australian and US Open. Other major achievements were winning three Masters 1000 titles and capping at the ATP Finals with a first title.
ATP accused of favouritism
Although Cahill and Vagnozzi’s exclusion may appear harsh, the ATP may have believed they couldn’t be considered because Sinner’s former fitness coach and physiotherapist played a key role in his two positive tests for a banned substance this season. Cahill and Vagnozzi were not at blame for the adverse tests, but the ATP may be concerned about a potential backlash if they were among the five nominees for Coach of the Year.
James Trotman, Jack Draper’s coach, is among the nominees. He contributed to Draper’s breakout season, which featured victories at the Vienna and Stuttgart Opens, as well as a semifinal appearance at the US Open. Taylor Fritz’s coach, Michael Russell, is also a nominee. During an amazing 2024 season, the American reached the US Open final and finished second at the ATP Finals.
