Riccardo Piatti, the coach credited with guiding Jannik Sinner’s transformation from a promising youngster to a top-tier tennis player, has revealed details about their split in 2022. In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Piatti reflected on their seven-year collaboration, which concluded when Sinner turned 20, shedding light on the reasons for their parting.
Having mentored Sinner since he was 13, Piatti admitted that their separation left him emotionally disoriented. “After Jannik, I went through a period of uncertainty,” he confessed. “I had been living a life solely focused on tennis – traveling year-round, with the player’s needs dictating everything.”
Now 66 years old, Piatti openly addressed the issues that led to their breakup. “He harbored grievances against me regarding on-court matters,” he disclosed.
Piatti emphasized the typical coach-player dynamic, stating, “It’s a natural progression between a coach and player. I always aimed for Jannik to be self-reliant; I anticipated that one day, he would move on. However, with him, I had to be a strict, occasionally inflexible coach – that was my duty.”
He stands by his coaching approach to this day. When asked if he would adopt the same stern methods again, Piatti affirmed, “Yes. It was the most effective way to reach the pinnacle.”
The guidance Piatti provided yielded significant results. With Piatti by his side, Sinner transitioned from a talented rising star to a force to be reckoned with on the grand stages, paving the way for future triumphs, including three Grand Slam titles. Piatti acknowledged the collaborative effort, attributing Sinner’s success to their shared work.
Despite going their separate ways, Piatti remains optimistic about Sinner’s prospects. With Sinner presently coach-less and preparing for a return following a three-month suspension related to the Clostebol incident, Piatti anticipates a strong comeback in the near future.
“He will bounce back swiftly,” Piatti expressed. “I genuinely believe he can secure a Grand Slam victory this year. The hiatus has revitalized him – he will return invigorated and determined.”
Three years post his split from Sinner, Piatti shared that he is now in a better place. He has reverted to coaching young talents at the renowned Piatti Tennis Centre in Bordighera, near the French border.
“Tennis remains my top priority,” he affirmed. “Now, I am devoted to nurturing the aspirations of young athletes.”
At 23 years old, Sinner has maintained the World No. 1 ranking for 10 months. He clinched his maiden major title at the Australian Open last year and capped off the season with a victory at the US Open. In January, he successfully defended his Australian Open crown by defeating Alexander Zverev in straight sets in the final.
In February, Sinner received a three-month suspension after testing positive for Clostebol in 2024. While the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted his explanation for the result, they emphasized that athletes are accountable for their entourage’s oversights.
Several top players, including Novak Djokovic, criticized the decision, with Djokovic suggesting at the 2025 Qatar Open press conference that there might be instances of favoritism among officials.