Why Marco Panichi Jannik Sinner can improve even further

Following the events surrounding the positivity on Clostebol and the subsequent investigation into doping, Jannik Sinner has decided not to continue the collaboration with the sports trainer Umberto Ferrara and the physiotherapist Giacomo Naldiresponsible for the – albeit involuntary – infection of the Italian champion.

The new team member who would take Ferrara’s place is a top player in this role: Marco Panichiwho was part of for six years Novak Djokovic’s teamThe Italian sports coach has worked with the Serbian twice: from April 2017 to April 2018 and from mid-2019 to early 2024. With the Serbian, Panichi has shared many joys and successes, including 8 Grand Slam titles.

Panichi graduated in sports coaching and sports psychology from NSU University of Florida and is a professional coach and physiotherapist, two-time Italian champion in long jump. The 57-year-old has worked as a consultant and partner for many international sports academies and for the national tennis federations of Italy, Germany, China, Israel and Hong Kong. Among the athletes who followed the Serbian champion are also Philipp Kohlshreiber, Simone Bolelli, Fabio Fognini, Angelique Kerber, Li Na and Daniela Hantuchova.

A few weeks ago, he announced a partnership with the young Chinese Juncheng Shang. While we wait for the official announcement, Panichi could be an important addition to the ATP No.1 team, as he would bring an unparalleled dose of experience and a winning mentality, strong from the years spent with Djokovic and aware of the Serb’s incredible triumphs.

Back to Jannik. In the most complicated period of his career – between the outcome of the independent tribunal for the Clostebol positivity case and the social media controversies that followed him before and during the US Open – the Italian achieved two victories that had never been achieved by an Italian in men’s singles.

The Italian was able to isolate himself from everything, concentrate completely on himself and the work that needed to be done at that moment and was rewarded for this with the title at the Cincinnati Open – in not exactly great physical conditions – and the triumph at the US Open.

Winning Cincinnati and the US Open is not a feat accomplished by many players in history. Only seven tennis players, before the 23-year-old Italian, have achieved these two successive successes on American hard courts.

The first to succeed was the American John McEnroe in 1981, seven years after the Swede Mats Wilander. In 1998 Patrick Rafter and then the American Andy Roddick (2003). The last, before Jannik Sinner this season, were of course the Big Three: Roger Federer in 2005 and 2007, Rafael Nadal in 2013 and Novak Djokovic (2018 and 2023).

“I can’t wait to get back to training and working. There are still things I need to improve,” Jannik said after his victory at Flushing Meadows: a summary of the Italian’s winning mentality.

✌️🚹DOBLETE Cincinnati+ #USOpen en la misma temporada (pista dura):

🇺🇸John McEnroe (1981)
🇸🇪 Mats Wilander (1988)
🇦🇺Patrick Rafter (1998)
🇺🇸Andy Roddick (2003)
🇨🇭Roger Federer (2005, 2007)
🇪🇸 Rafa Nadal (2013)
🇷🇸 Novak Djokovic (2018, 2023)
🇮🇹 Jannik SINNER (2024) photo.twitter.com/DeEF6vC1kO

— Fernando Murciego (@fermurciego) September 8, 2024

Jannik Sinner surprises some children in his home country Italy.

There’s nothing quite like a visit from the best tennis player in the world.

They sure had a great day. 🇮🇹🥹

(via @emmacarbs)

photo.twitter.com/AEfr24mdsh

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 11, 2024

Jannik Sinner & Aryna Sabalenka #USOpen photo.twitter.com/Hjq4pwhMrv

— Jannik Sinner headquarters (@HqSinner) September 11, 2024