In the middle of Darren Cahill's farewell year coaching ATP No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Sinner has announced who will assume Cahill's role in 2026.
Sinner has selected Carlos Moya, the acclaimed Spanish tennis player who coached Rafael Nadal from 2017 until his retirement in 2024.
Tennis fans could be surprised by this partnership, but Sinner is making a shrew tennis and business decision by picking Moya.
What Jannik Sinner gains with Carlos Moya
As he will do with Sinner, Moya joined Nadal when his career was in progress; however, he was at his side as he won 17 ATP titles, including six Grand Slams and seven Masters 1000 trophies.
Sinner is known for his stellar play on the hard court; however, adding Moya gives him a Spanish clay court guru who could help him outmaneuver ATP No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz on his favorite surface.
Moya has an excellent reputation inside and outside tennis. For those with lingering questions about Sinner and his 2024 doping issues and subsequent 2025 suspension, Moya is the ideal candidate.
Why some are surprised Moya accepted the role
Tennis fans are surprised that Moya is joining Sinner's team for one noteworthy reason. Spanish tennis is a tight-knit community. The game's legends tend to stay home and coach the current stars. Juan Carlos Ferrero is coaching Alcaraz. Spanish No. 2 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is coached by former Spanish tennis players David Sanchez and Fernando Verdasco.
Moya not only is not coaching a Spaniard, he will also be actively coaching against a Spaniard as Carlos Alcaraz is believed to be Jannik Sinner's chief rival in the upcoming years. In a strange way, Moya will be coaching to preserve Rafa's legacy even though Alcaraz tries to distance himself from the inevitable Rafael Nadal comparisons.
Jannik Sinner's French Open chances
Much of Sinner's decision is likely about playing on clay. He is already an accomplished clay-court player and nearly won the Italian Open after three months away from the sport. That means Moya may not have difficulty getting Sinner to win more on clay. The challenge may be lessened considerably if Sinner wins the French Open later this month.