Novak Djokovic Surprised by Jannik Sinner’s Team Changes Just Before Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic recently voiced his surprise regarding Jannik Sinner’s decision to part ways with two important members of his team just one day prior to the start of Wimbledon. The Serbian tennis star expressed his astonishment during a media interaction, noting that the timing of Sinner’s split from fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio was unexpected.
"I was caught off guard by the news," Djokovic stated. "I’m not aware of the reasons behind Jannik’s decision, but it certainly surprised me." The seven-time Wimbledon champion highlighted the abruptness of the change, especially considering the significant improvements Sinner has made in both his game and physical condition over the past 18 months.
The announcement of the departures came on June 27, with Sinner confirming the news during his pre-tournament press conference at Wimbledon. Panichi and Badio had joined Sinner’s team in September of the previous year, following a doping controversy that involved the Italian’s former physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi and fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara.
Both of the dismissed staff members have noteworthy backgrounds, having previously worked with Djokovic. Badio was part of Djokovic’s team from 2017 to 2022, while Panichi was involved with Djokovic from 2019 until just recently in 2024.
Djokovic commented on Sinner’s progress, saying, "In the last year and a half, Jannik’s game and physical fitness have seen remarkable improvement. Sometimes, as someone who has also made changes, it’s simply a matter of not fitting together anymore and deciding to go separate ways."
The 38-year-old champion added, "It’s not just a professional relationship; personal factors can play a role too. Sometimes you want something new or different, and that’s perfectly fine. Each of us has our unique circumstances."
Sinner provided a more measured perspective on his decision, explaining, "I chose to explore a different path. In our sport, changes happen, and sometimes players feel the need for a shift, which is where I find myself now."
Despite the changes, Sinner reassured fans that his preparations for Wimbledon remain unaffected. "Nothing major happened. I feel ready to compete and I’m confident in my team and our ability to perform at our best," he stated. "We’ve achieved incredible results together, and I am thankful for all they’ve done."
The Italian acknowledged the success of his previous partnership while affirming that his decision is final, saying, "We accomplished a lot together, but it’s time for something new."
Wimbledon is set to begin on June 30, with Sinner scheduled to face fellow Italian Luca Nardi on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Djokovic will kick off his campaign against France’s Alexandre Muller on the same day.
Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament unfolds!
