Jannik Sinner is targeting a return to action at next year's Australian Open as he recovers from the knee injury that cut short his season.

The World No 2, who has not played since winning his fifth grand slam title at Wimbledon in July, said on Tuesday that he would not be rushing his way back.

"The goal is to go to Australia, I hope to get there and perhaps play a few tournaments beforehand," Sinner told a press conference in Milan in his role as an Allianz Global Brand Ambassador.

"Right now, I need to follow the protocols without rushing things. I have a lot of faith in the process, and I'm working ⁠toward that objective.

"Initially, we had an impossible goal for my return in mind, so we took a different path. I'm a tennis player, not a doctor, so my only option is to trust them.

"I miss playing tennis. Right now, however, it is crucial that I take care of my body, because I ‌want to keep playing for another 10 to 15 years."

Sinner spoke at the event alongside Darren Cahill, the coach he parted ways with last week after four years together.

Coming through the door is Sweden's Magnus Norman, who has been brought into Sinner's coaching set-up.

"You have to ask yourself a lot of questions to get inside the mind of the player you're coaching - that's how you earn his trust," Cahill said. "We've built and shaped an incredible team, but 99 percent of what's been achieved is down to him.

"He's the one who goes out onto the court. Everyone else contributes the final one percent, and that's what makes the difference."

Sinner described Cahill as a "second dad" and said the pair will stay close friends.

He added that Norman, a former World No 2, shares many similarities with the Australian.

"He worked with [Stan] Wawrinka for many years and has been through ​a lot," Sinner said. "He accepts the way we are already working, which is ‌important to me so that I don't ⁠have to change everything all over again.

"I need to add one percent each year to improve as a player."

Cahill confirmed he was not involved in the decision to hire Norman.

"There's a tweet I wrote back in 2013 about how Norman has the ability to improve every player he coaches," he said. "It's important that [coach] Simone Vagnozzi is there to provide continuity.

"I wasn't involved in the selection process, but I believe it's an excellent choice."