Renowned tennis coach Darren Cahill, celebrated for guiding Italian sensation Jannik Sinner to his maiden Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open, expressed his elation regarding the lifting of Simona Halep’s doping ban. In an interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Cahill shared his heartfelt sentiments on the matter, highlighting his unwavering support for the former world No. 1.
Reflecting on his coaching journey with Sinner and the triumphs they’ve achieved together, Cahill expressed, “For me it was the highlight of the year and I’ve had a really good year so far with everything that Jannik has done.” This acknowledgment underscores the significant milestones attained by Sinner under Cahill’s mentorship.
Cahill went on to discuss Halep’s tumultuous experience during the past 18 months, describing it as “18 months of torture.” Despite the challenges, Cahill maintained his steadfast belief in Halep’s integrity, asserting, “I’ve always believed she would never deliberately or knowingly take anything that was wrong or banned.” His unwavering support for Halep throughout her ordeal underscores the strength of their professional relationship.
The resolution of Halep’s case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) brought forth the truth, vindicating her stance and allowing her to resume her tennis career. Cahill commended Halep for her resilience and grace under pressure, stating, “I know she’s been through a tough moment and a tough period of 18 months, and I’m super proud of the way she’s handled herself and the way that she’s carried herself throughout this entire time.”
Looking ahead with anticipation, Cahill expressed his delight at the prospect of seeing Halep back on the court, particularly at the upcoming Miami Open. He eagerly awaits witnessing her return to competitive tennis, emphasizing, “I could not be happier to see her playing in Miami. I can’t wait to see her next week.”
Darren Cahill: “I’ve always believed in Simona Halep”. “It’s been 18 months of torture.”
Source: Sky Sports pic.twitter.com/wHFa0WSFaZ
— Romanian Tennis (@WTARomania) March 16, 2024
Cahill’s words reflect not only his joy over Halep’s exoneration but also his admiration for her resilience and character throughout the challenging period. As Halep prepares to resume her professional journey, she does so with the unwavering support of her coach and the tennis community at large.
Simona Halep in 2024
Now ranked no.578, the Romanian played her last match on the 29th of August 2022 when she was overcome by world no.135 Daria Snigur 6-2 0-6 6-4 in the 1st round of the U.S. Open (draw).
Currently, during this season Halep has managed to achieve an overall 39-11 record.
Simona Halep |
| Embed from Getty Images |
