Jannik Sinner Explains Shocking Decision To Split With Key Team Members
NewsSunday, 29 June 2025 at 01:00
Jannik Sinner has spoken out for the first time since he caused widespread surprise by splitting with the fitness trainer and physiotherapist he hired in September.
Sinner had been working with Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio. Both men collaborated with Novak Djokovic in the past before accepting the Italian's offer to join his team to help him improve physically.
Umberto Ferrara and Giacomo Naldi held those positions before they were removed from Sinner's team after their roles in his testing positive for clostebol at the 2024 Indian Wells Open became publicly known.
Panichi and Badio's vast experience and strong reputations meant the split was entirely unexpected. Some online fans speculated that nefarious reasons might have caused the sudden move.
In his pre-tournament press conference at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, Sinner insisted that was not the case. The ATP world No. 1 stated that nothing dramatic happened behind the scenes, and he just wanted to take a different approach.
"As I said, there's not one specific thing. Nothing crazy happened. That's for sure not. In this sport things can happen. There is nothing incredible, no, because sometimes a player feels something different, and that's my case."
Although accusing Sinner of being a liar would be entirely unfair, his answer is quite evasive. He is unclear about the reasons he did not want to work with Panichi and Badio or how they felt about the move.
Sinner was asked directly for the specific reason he made the change. The 2025 Australian Open champion said nothing particular led to it happening, and repeated that he felt it was time for something new.
"No, there is no specific reason and I can assure you that nothing sensational has happened. I think there are just moments in which you have to do something different. So far, however, I have been happy, even reaching the final at Roland Garros was a great goal regardless of how it went."
Another reporter asked whether Sinner worries about Panichi and Badio's departures impacting him. The Italian is not concerned about that and revealed the move was decided some time ago, even though it was only announced on Friday.
"No, it was something that had been decided for a long time. So far, I've always had a good time and we've done great things, but I wanted to do something different, and now I'm curious to know what will happen in London in the next two weeks."
There will undoubtedly be some skepticism about whether Sinner is being completely transparent. After the high-profile and controversial way his working relationship with Ferrara and Naldi ended, that is impossible to avoid.
It would be interesting to hear Panichi and Badio's perspectives on how things ended. However, many former team members never reveal all the details out of respect for the players they worked with.
Sinner does not want any more anxiety after his three-month suspension and losing the 2025 Roland Garros final to Alcaraz after having three championship points in the fourth set. He needs to be fully focused to have a chance of challenging for the Wimbledon title.
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