Djokovic and Sinner are the two tennis players in the best physical shape”
Marco Panichi, current physical trainer of Rune, reviewed his time with the Serbian and the Italian, stating that “the three months of his suspension were one of the best moments of my professional life.”
Marco Panichi has worked with the best tennis players in the world. The Italian had the privilege of being the physical trainer of Novak Djokovic for seven years, had a one-year experience with Jannik Sinner, and is now part of the team of the injured Holger Rune, although he also collaborated with Francesca Schiavone and Fabio Fognini.
This makes Panichi an extremely credible voice to speak not only about the physical preparation required by a professional player but also about what it means to have had such a close relationship with players like Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and now Holger Rune.
He spoke about them in an interview with La Repubblica, although he mentioned he cannot discuss his relationship with Jannik Sinner due to contractual reasons. It is worth remembering that one of the reasons for his swift dismissal was that, following the Roland Garros final, the physical trainer stated in several interviews that Sinner had cried in the locker rooms after the tough defeat against Carlos Alcaraz, which did not sit well with the number two in the world and his team.
Marco Panichi explains the success of his methodology with the top ATP players
“Working hard, every day. With imagination because repetition doesn’t work. You have to gradually change. Leaving the gym, turning the routine into a game. Doing a bit of everything: canoeing, ice skating, horseback riding. Even dancing on tables or singing karaoke, if necessary.”
He cannot talk about Sinner, but he has fond memories of the three-month doping suspension
“An important premise: I can’t discuss my relationship with Jannik for contractual reasons. I won’t give names. I say that, in general, certain improvisations can help some athletes learn to manage their emotions. However, I believe I can say this: the three months of his suspension were one of the best moments of my professional life. We worked hard, always had fun, and exchanged many things with great respect.”
He gets emotional when talking about the seven-year relationship with Djokovic
“Novak has always been light-years ahead in terms of managing his emotions. Between his dance steps and imitations, many times I had to slow him down. There was an immediate connection; we entered a very strong human connection. I have never met anyone so curious, with such a desire to learn and contribute.”
“His greatness lay in sharing: you gave him instructions, and he assimilated them with his own code. We both grew. He had obsessive discipline and impeccable attention to detail. He always wanted to try something new. I remember certain afternoons: we were exhausted but happy.”
Panichi talks about the tennis players with the best physical condition and surprises with the absence of some of the world’s best
“I come from athletics. A tennis player should be like a good decathlete: neither too resistant nor explosive. Something in between. Djokovic and Sinner are the two players in the best physical shape, but in terms of athletic ability, Fognini was impressive. Like Rune: you can’t fool him with a drop shot. It’s a pleasure to see how powerfully Jasmine Paolini moves. The legs of Iga Swiatek are the best on the circuit. Emma Navarro also has great potential,” affirms Marco Panichi, who, however, overlooks the two tennis number ones: Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka
