Seven-time doubles Grand Slam champion Jamie Murray, Andy Murray’s brother, recently questioned Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill’s claim that no request was made to reschedule the Italian’s Australian Open fourth-round match.
The debate followed Sinner’s physically demanding third-round encounter, which was temporarily halted under the heat rule after extreme Melbourne conditions left the world’s No. 2 cramping midmatch.
Andy Murray’s Brother Responds to Darren Cahill’s Scheduling Remarks After Jannik Sinner’s Australian Open Heat Ordeal
Jannik Sinner’s journey into the Australian Open fourth round became as much a test of endurance as skill. Beyond dispatching American Eliot Spizzirri, the Italian was pushed to his physical limits by punishing Melbourne heat, suffering severe cramps as conditions escalated to Heat Stress Scale Level 5, prompting a suspension during the third set before officials eventually closed the roof.
Notably, the suspension was followed by a brief break of just under 10 minutes, allowing Sinner crucial time to recover. He then resumed play under the closed roof and went on to seal a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
The timing of the heat rule’s intervention sparked widespread debate, with many suggesting Sinner benefited from it just in time to preserve his Australian Open campaign. In the aftermath, speculation grew that his team would seek an evening slot for the following round against Italian Luciano Darderi. However, coach Darren Cahill firmly dismissed the notion.
“We did not request a night session. We could have been moved to the night session when [Jakub] Mensik pulled out. The night session was offered to Jannik, but we had no problem sticking to the schedule,” he said.
Recently on TNT Sports, Jamie Murray was asked to share his view on Darren Cahill’s statement. The doubles specialist expressed skepticism, saying he found it hard to believe Sinner endured such a physically draining third-round match without later considering scheduling options for his next encounter. While acknowledging it was within their rights, Murray admitted he personally doubts that no request was made.
“I don’t believe it! There’s no way he went through what he went through in that last match, and then they didn’t want him to play as late as possible to give him as much… I don’t believe it personally. But I could obviously be wrong, but it’s not what I am believing. I am not saying it’s wrong, it’s absolutely within his right to request, you know to play later in the day or earliest as all the other players are doing. I just don’t believe that he went through what he went through and did nothing about it, what his next match was going to be,” he said.
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Sinner himself acknowledged that fortune played a role, admitting he benefited from the mid-match roof closure and eventually secured a comeback win over Spizzirri on Saturday.
Nonetheless, the four-time Grand Slam champion delivered a commanding performance against compatriot Luciano Darderi, cruising to a 6-1, 6-3, 7-6(2) victory to book his place in the quarterfinals. Awaiting him there is American Ben Shelton, setting up a highly anticipated clash.