LONDON — In a surprising turn of events just days before Wimbledon, Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has parted ways with his longtime fitness trainer, Marco Panichi. The abrupt split has sent shockwaves through the tennis world, with Panichi quickly landing a new role with a rival player.
Sinner, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, confirmed the separation in a brief statement released by his team. "After careful consideration, we have decided to end our collaboration with Marco Panichi. We thank him for his contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavors," the statement read.
A Sudden Split Before Wimbledon
The timing of the decision has raised eyebrows, as Wimbledon—the third Grand Slam of the year—begins on July 1. Panichi had been a key figure in Sinner's rise to the top of the rankings, working closely with him since 2022. Under Panichi's guidance, Sinner transformed his physical conditioning, which played a pivotal role in his 2024 Australian Open victory and subsequent ascent to World No. 1.
Sources close to the situation suggest that the split was not entirely amicable. "There were differences in approach, especially regarding preparation for grass-court tournaments," an insider revealed. Sinner’s recent early exit at the Halle Open, where he lost in straight sets to Hubert Hurkacz, may have exacerbated tensions.
Panichi’s Swift Move to a Rival Camp
Just 48 hours after the announcement, Panichi was confirmed as the new fitness coach for Holger Rune, the Danish prodigy and one of Sinner’s fiercest rivals. Rune, currently ranked No. 6, has been vocal about his ambitions to challenge Sinner for the top spot.
Rune’s team released an enthusiastic statement: "We are thrilled to welcome Marco Panichi to Team Rune. His expertise and experience will be invaluable as Holger prepares for Wimbledon and the rest of the season."
The move adds another layer of intrigue to the Sinner-Rune rivalry, which has already produced several electrifying matches. Their most recent encounter, a five-set thriller at the 2024 French Open, saw Sinner emerge victorious after a grueling battle.
What This Means for Sinner’s Wimbledon Campaign
With Wimbledon just days away, Sinner now faces the challenge of adapting to a new fitness regime under interim coach Umberto Ferrara, who has previously worked with him during minor tournaments. Ferrara is expected to focus on:
- Maintaining Sinner’s peak physical condition
- Fine-tuning his movement on grass courts
- Ensuring recovery between matches
Tennis analysts are divided on the impact of the sudden change. Some, like former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, believe it could disrupt Sinner’s rhythm. "Changing coaches right before a major is risky. Fitness is crucial in best-of-five matches," Cash remarked.
Others argue that Sinner’s mental resilience will see him through. "Jannik has shown he can adapt under pressure. If anyone can handle this, it’s him," said his former coach, Riccardo Piatti.
The Bigger Picture: Coaching Carousel in Tennis
The rapid reshuffling of coaches among top players highlights the high-stakes nature of professional tennis. In recent months:
- Carlos Alcaraz reunited with Juan Carlos Ferrero after a brief split
- Novak Djokovic brought Boris Becker back into his team
- Aryna Sabalenka parted ways with her coach after the French Open
Panichi’s immediate switch to Rune’s camp underscores how quickly alliances can shift in the competitive world of tennis. "It’s a small circle at the top. Coaches move where the opportunities are," noted tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg.
Conclusion: A Test of Sinner’s Maturity
As Wimbledon approaches, all eyes will be on how Sinner navigates this unexpected challenge. His ability to maintain focus amid off-court drama will be critical to his title aspirations. Meanwhile, Panichi’s influence on Rune’s game could add fuel to an already fiery rivalry.
Sinner remains the bookmakers’ favorite for Wimbledon, but the margin has narrowed. Whether this coaching change becomes a footnote or a turning point in his season will soon be revealed on the grass courts of SW19.