Jannik Sinner has been spotted practicing with Simona Halep in Dubai, a pairing that surprised many fans given Halep’s retirement and past controversies.
Background of the practice session
Jannik Sinner, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, teamed up with former WTA world No. 1 Simona Halep for an offseason training session. The connection comes through their shared coach Darren Cahill, who previously guided Halep to two Grand Slam titles and later helped elevate Sinner’s game to elite status. Cahill reportedly arranged the practice, seeing value in pairing his former and current protégés.
Why fans were surprised
Halep retired in February 2025 after a career that included two Grand Slam victories (Roland Garros 2018 and Wimbledon 2019) and 22 other titles. She had also faced a doping suspension before clearing her name in early 2024. Some fans expressed shock at seeing her train with Sinner, especially since she had previously criticized how his own doping case was handled. This history made the collaboration unexpected, sparking debate among tennis followers.
Sinner’s momentum heading into 2026
Sinner closed out 2025 in remarkable form, winning four of his last five tournaments, including the China Open, Vienna Open, Paris Masters, and ATP Finals. He is preparing for the 2026 Australian Open, aiming to challenge Carlos Alcaraz for the top ranking. Training with Halep adds an intriguing dynamic to his offseason, as he continues to refine his game under Cahill’s guidance.
Halep’s role in the session
Although retired, Halep remains active in tennis circles. Spending time in Dubai, she joined Sinner for what appeared to be a high-energy practice session. Videos shared online showed sharp rallies and strong chemistry between the two players. For Halep, it was a chance to stay connected to the sport, while for Sinner, it offered a unique opportunity to train with a former world No. 1 who understands Cahill’s coaching philosophy deeply.
Fan reactions
Reactions have been mixed. Some fans welcomed the collaboration, seeing it as a positive and inspiring crossover between ATP and WTA champions. Others were skeptical, citing Halep’s past comments and questioning the optics of the pairing. Regardless, the practice session has generated buzz and highlighted the interconnected nature of professional tennis.
In short: Sinner’s practice with Halep was orchestrated by coach Darren Cahill, surprising fans due to Halep’s retirement and past controversies, but it also reflects the strong ties within the tennis community.
Jannik Sinner and Simona Halep practicing together.
🇮🇹🇷🇴pic.twitter.com/BNPcyQwhMA
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 10, 2025
Jannik Sinner in 2025
WWWWWWWWWW At the moment ranked no.2, the Italian played his last match on the 16th of November when he beat world no.1 Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(4) 7-5 in the final in the Nitto ATP Finals to win his 25th career title.
Currently, during this year the Italian achieved an overall 58-6 record. Sinner has won 6 titles in 2025 at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, Beijing, Vienna, Paris and the Nitto ATP Finals. Jannik reached the final in Rome, French Open, Cincinnati and U.S. Open.
