In a surprising turn of events, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic announced his decision to part ways with longtime fitness coach Marco Panichi.
This marks yet another major change to his team, following the recent end of his collaboration with coach Goran Ivanisevic after an unexpected exit from the Indian Wells tournament.
The 36-year-old tennis star has experienced a year filled with significant changes.
Known for his strategic prowess on and off the court, Djokovic hinted last week that he may continue his career without a traditional coach.
Panichi had been an integral part of Djokovic's team since 2017, contributing to the Serb's winning 12 out of his record 24 Grand Slam titles.
While specific details about the split remain undisclosed, Djokovic is seeking new training and match preparation methods.
This move seems in line with his continual pursuit of growth and excellence, which has solidified his status as one of the all-time greats in tennis.
Djokovic recently stated that he has decided to part ways with his coach Marco Panichi. In a heartfelt tribute shared on social media, he reflected on their years of collaboration, emphasizing how they reached the pinnacle of their careers together, won titles, and broke records.
Djokovic expressed how much he cherished the ordinary days of training with Panichi, both in and out of the gym.
He took to Instagram to express his gratitude for their time together and acknowledge the invaluable role that Panichi played in his career.
"We reached the summit, won titles, broken records. But most of all, I have enjoyed our most “ordinary” days of training in and out of the gym. Endless hours of “carciofini” and laughs that made me feel super motivated to prepare for success," wrote Djokovic in his farewell message.
Djokovic thanked Panichi for all the energy, effort, and time he dedicated to helping him become the best player and person possible.
He ended his message with a warm farewell, expressing his anticipation of meeting again in Rome and signing off with an enthusiastic "Forzaaaa."
The news of Djokovic's coaching changes has caused concern among his fans, sparking a flurry of questions and speculations about his future and the current state of his team.
His followers expressed worry and surprise, with many fearing what these changes might mean for his future performances.
Djokovic has decided to skip the Madrid Open to focus more on the Grand Slam events and the upcoming Paris Olympics. He plans to return to the court in Rome.
In late March, Novak Djokovic shared an emotional goodbye to his coach Goran Ivanisevic. Djokovic recalled inviting Ivanisevic to his team in 2018, hoping to improve his serve with some added "magic."
He highlighted that their time together brought more than skill improvements; it was filled with laughter, fun, top rankings, record-breaking performances, 12 Grand Slam wins, and drama.
Djokovic stated that they decided to part ways recently, despite their strong personal friendship, which endured through both good and tough times on the court.
He humorously mentioned that aside from their success, they also had a long-running game of Parcheesi, which will continue beyond their professional partnership.
Djokovic ended his message by sincerely thanking Ivanisevic, expressing love and gratitude for their years together.
As he approaches this milestone, his decision to potentially go solo has intrigued tennis enthusiasts and analysts alike. They are eagerly watching to see how this new chapter unfolds for one of tennis's most compelling figures.