MELBOURNE (Reuters) – World number 10 Jannik Sinner said he was open to the possibility of John McEnroe joining his coaching team after the American great offered his services on a part-time basis at the Australian Open.
McEnroe, a former world number one who won seven Grand Slams singles titles, said this week he had told Sinner’s regular coach, Riccardo Piatti, that he was keen to help the 20-year-old Italian reach the next level.
“I am definitely available on a part-time basis, helping Jannik Sinner getting over the hump — which I’ll believe he’ll get over whether I coach him or not,” McEnroe told Eurosport.
“He came to my club when he was here for the U.S. Open, he was practising, and he’s like a sponge.”
Sinner, who moved into the fourth round in Melbourne with a win over qualifier Taro Daniel on Saturday, was full of praise for McEnroe.
“When John speaks, of course, he is a tennis legend,” said Sinner after the match. “He has won many tournaments, he was a great player.
“Yes, I would like to be coached by him. Let’s see what comes out,” added Sinner, who plays Australia’s Alex de Minaur on Monday.
(Reporting by Dhruv Munjal in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
