'I'm similar to Novak Djokovic and this is why I've hired two of his ex-coaches'
Jannik Sinner snapped up two of Novak Djokovic's former trainers.
Jannik Sinner has explained his decision to hire two of Novak Djokovic’s old coaches.
The world No. 1 axed his old physiotherapist and fitness trainer in the wake of his doping saga.
He eventually replaced them with Ulises Badio and Marco Panichi - two long-standing members of the Djokovic camp. And Sinner has now admitted to sharing similarities with the Serb.
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Badio parted ways with Djokovic at the end of the 2022 season while Panichi only left the Serb in April this year. Sinner was quick to snap them both up when he was left without a physio or a trainer.
The Italian’s game style has often been likened to that of Djokovic. And there’s another similarity that some have noticed - their body shape. Asked whether that played a role in hiring Badio and Panichi, Sinner opened up on his decision.
“For sure they have a lot of experience, you know, in working with the world No. 1 for so, so many years,” the 23-year-old said at the Shanghai Masters.
“Also together, you know, Marco and Ulises, you know, working together, it's already a big help, because they know each other very well, which is for me very good, and very important also.”
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While Sinner can see his likeness with Djokovic, he was more interested in the experience the Serb’s old team members could bring.
The two-time Grand Slam champion added: “For sure, they can help me, you know, especially a little bit off the court, trying to see new things and trying where we can improve as a player. They have a lot of experience.
“We have some similarities, me and Novak, but at the end we are still different, so, you know, we have to try to adapt our, you know, whatever is best for me, and trying to understand. But this, it takes time, but I'm very happy to have them on my team.”
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It’s already been a successful partnership. Since announcing he had added Badio and Panichi to his camp last month, Sinner reached his seventh final of the year in Beijing, narrowly losing out to Carlos Alcaraz in a final set tiebreak.
The world No. 1 is now through to the last 16 at the Shanghai Masters. He will face either Roberto Carbaelles Baena or Ben Shelton.
The American beat him at the same stage of the same tournament last year and Sinner will be out for revenge.
