Jannik Sinner, the rising star of Italian tennis, has made a significant move in his pursuit of greatness by adding Novak Djokovic’s former fitness coach, Marco Panichi, to his team. The announcement came on Monday with a photo of Sinner alongside Panichi and newly recruited physiotherapist Ulises Badio. This team revamp follows Sinner’s recent US Open triumph and the subsequent departure of his previous fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, and physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi.
Sinner’s decision to bring in Panichi and Badio marks a strategic shift for the young player. Panichi, known for his experience working with top-ranked players like Fabio Fognini, Angelique Kerber, and Li Na, joined Djokovic’s team in 2019 and remained there until earlier this year. His expertise in fitness and training could prove invaluable for Sinner as he aims to ascend further in the rankings.
The timing of this move is particularly noteworthy given the recent controversy surrounding Djokovic. The world number one was cleared of doping charges after testing positive twice for a banned substance, sparking a wave of criticism from fellow players, including Australian star Nick Kyrgios. Despite the backlash, Djokovic was ultimately allowed to compete, citing a contaminated spray as the source of the positive tests.
Sinner’s decision to bring in Panichi, a coach with a proven track record of success, highlights his commitment to achieving peak performance and his willingness to learn from the best. This new partnership could be a key factor in Sinner’s future success on the ATP Tour.
