Sinner targeting Australian Open return after earlier 'impossible goal'

Two-time Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner says he is targeting the Melbourne major for his big-time comeback as he embarks on the road to regaining his world number one status.

Sinner has lost his primacy in the global rankings after 95 weeks at the summit to Alexander Zverev, having not played since winning Wimbledon in July due to a right knee injury.

"The aim is to go to Australia. The aim is also maybe to do a couple of tournaments first," Sinner told a press conference in Milan on Tuesday.

"Right now, I have to respect the protocols because if we rush things we could have more serious problems. I have a ‌lot of faith ‌in the process, ⁠and I'm working toward that objective.

"Initially, we had an impossible goal for my ​return in mind, so we took a different path. I'm a tennis player, not a doctor, so my only option is to trust them.

"I miss playing tennis. Right now, however, it is crucial that I take care of my body, because I want to keep playing for another 10 to 15 years."

Sinner indicated he would probably return to the court in the Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia in late December. The Riyadh event was postponed because of the conflict in the Middle East.

"That [is the target] but we all know the situation what's there at the moment, which is not the best, so this is not our decision as players, this is a more general decision," Sinner said.

"But I think if we want to prepare for Australia [and] I'm not playing since Wimbledon, some matches before might be very helpful."

Wimbledon was the 25-year-old Italian's fifth grand slam title in less than three years, the first being his 2024 Australian Open victory.

His rise to the top was masterminded by Australian coach Darren Cahill, ⁠who stepped down last week after four ‌years at Sinner's side.

Sweden's ​Magnus Norman has joined Sinner's coaching set-up and Cahill backed the pick.

"There's a tweet I wrote ​back in 2013 about how Norman has the ability to improve every player he coaches," he said. 

"I wasn't involved in the selection process, but I believe it's an excellent ​choice."

Sinner said Cahill was like a "second dad" and that ​the ​two would remain close friends, adding that former ​world number two Norman shared many similarities with the South Australian.

"[Norman] ‌worked with [Stan] Wawrinka for many years and has been through a lot," Sinner said. 

"He accepts the way we are already working, which is important to me so that I don't have to change everything all over again.

"I need to add 1 per cent each year to improve as a player."

"You have to ask yourself a lot of questions to get inside the mind ​of the ‌player you're coaching — that's how you earn his trust," Cahill added. 

"We've built and shaped an incredible team, but 99 per cent ​of what's been achieved is down to him.

"He's the one who goes out onto the court. Everyone else contributes the final 1 per cent, and that's what makes the difference."