In a jaw-dropping announcement that has already sent shockwaves through the tennis world, Darren Cahill, coach of world No. 2 Jannik Sinner, confirmed that the Italian star will team up with fellow countryman Luciano Darderi for the men’s doubles competition at the 2025 US Open.
The unexpected pairing brings together Sinner, a Grand Slam singles champion and established top-tier player, with Darderi — a rising talent known more for his clay-court flare and aggressive baseline play than for Grand Slam doubles experience. The duo is being labeled by fans and analysts as a potential “destructive duo” capable of shaking up the entire doubles draw.
“Sometimes, the best combinations are the ones nobody sees coming,” Cahill said during a press conference in New York. “Jannik and Luciano have been practicing together, and the chemistry is real. They bring different energies to the court, and together, they’re dangerous.”
Luciano Darderi, ranked just inside the top 50 in singles but largely untested in major doubles play, seems fired up for the opportunity — and not just as a learning experience. In an exclusive interview, Darderi teased an unconventional and “mind-blowing” strategy that the pair plans to unleash at Flushing Meadows.
“I can’t reveal too much, but what we’re doing has never been tried before in a Slam. Let’s just say we’re not playing ‘traditional’ doubles,” Darderi said with a grin. “We want to surprise everyone — not just with who we are, but how we play.”
The announcement has sparked immediate buzz across social media and tennis forums, with fans curious about what this new pairing could bring to the court. While Sinner has rarely played doubles at Grand Slams, his powerful groundstrokes and tactical mind could complement Darderi’s fearless shot-making and unpredictability.
Some critics have called the move risky — arguing that focusing on doubles could distract Sinner from his singles ambitions. But Cahill remains confident.
“This isn’t about distraction. It’s about pushing boundaries and exploring new ways to compete. And frankly, they’re out to win,” Cahill said.
With their debut set for the opening rounds of the US Open in late August, one thing is certain: all eyes will be on Sinner and Darderi — tennis’s newest wildcard duo.
