Jannik Sinner's coach makes subtle dig at Novak Djokovic following his comments on the Wimbledon champion's doping charge

Jannik Sinner's coach Darren Cahill appeared to reference comments made by Novak Djokovic during his interview with Piers Morgan with a subtle social media dig. 

The Serbian serial champion sat down with Morgan for a far-reaching interview this week where the pair discussed, among other topics, the impact of the world No 2's doping charges. 

Sinner served a three-month ban this season after striking a deal with WADA, who had appealed his initial lack of punishing at the end of last year. 

The Italian had tested positive twice in March 2024 for banned substance clostebol, with tennis' anti-doping body ITIA accepting the explanation that the anabolic steroid had entered his body after he received a massage from his physio Giacomo Naldi - who was using the medication to treat a cut finger. 

Djokovic pulled no punches as he shared how he had been 'shocked' about how Sinner's case had been handled, and stressed he believed there had been 'so many red flags' including 'the lack of transparency, the inconsistency, (and) the convenience of the ban coming between the Slams'. 

The 38-year-old is far from alone from taking a possibly controversial position on the polarising case, but Cahill - who will step back from working with Sinner at the end of next season - seem keen to share that he remains in his young charge's caller. 

Taking to Instagram Stories, Cahill shared a quote reading: 'Opinion is the lowest form of human knowledge. 

'It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another's world'. 

The Australian coach added a prayer hands emoji and a thumb's up to the missive. 

Cahill, who previously worked with players including Andre Agassi and Amanda Anisimova, has been a staunch defender of Sinner since news broke that he had returned two positive tests last August. 

As well as underscoring how he believed the then-world No 1 was a 'great kid, incredibly professional, maybe the most professional young man (he's) ever had the chance to work with', Cahill did acknowledge that there were calls for him to be sanctioned. 

'I think everybody's entitled to their opinion,' he said. 'I know this is a highly sensitive issue for everybody: all coaches, all players, all fans. 

'I think, over time, this won't affect Jannik's legacy in the game. I think people will understand that when you reach through the entire statement, and what he went through, and how they determined him to have no fault or negligence, I think you'll understand it,' he added. 

After winning the Australian Open at the start of the year, Sinner was then sidelined under his home tournament, the Italian Open in May. 

Reaching the final on the red clay of Rome, he was downed by rival Carlos Alcaraz, who similarly beat him at the French Open a month later. 

The 24-year-old then had his revenge at Wimbledon in July, claiming his first Championship in SW19. 

The duo rounded off the year's Grand Slam finals with a meeting at the US Open, with Sinner unable to defend his title against a resurgent Alcaraz.  

The pair could yet meet in the final high-stakes clash of the year at the ongoing ATP Finals in Turin. 

Alcaraz will first have to win his semi-final against either Alexander Zverev or Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Sinner will have to despatch Alex de Minaur in their semi-final.