Jannik Sinner’s fitness coach, Marco Panichi, has shared insights into how the World No. 1 has been preparing for his return to professional tennis after a three-month suspension for two doping violations in 2024.
Panichi, who joined Sinner’s team in September 2024, brings invaluable experience, having worked with Novak Djokovic for seven years. His expertise has played a crucial role during this challenging period for the Italian star.
Sinner accepted a deal with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that resulted in a three-month suspension after he failed two doping tests in March 2024. This agreement avoided a lengthy trial and potential one- or two-year suspension. As part of the settlement, Sinner will return to competition on May 7th.
Panichi spoke to Corriere della Sera about how they’ve used this unexpected break to refine Sinner’s fitness: “Athletics has always been about mastering the basics—running, jumping, throwing—and seeking marginal gains. A 0.2% improvement can make all the difference in high-level sport.”
When they first learned of the suspension, Panichi, Sinner, and the team quickly decided to make the most of the time off. “We knew we could make progress by focusing on the details, without the usual travel or tournament disruptions,” Panichi explained. They adapted their approach, transforming short training cycles into more comprehensive ones, using the time to collect data and tailor training for a major improvement. “This work will start to show results from Rome onwards.”
The suspension has also disrupted Sinner’s usual routine, one that had been in place for years. Along with the competitive ban, he was restricted from training with other professionals or at official tennis facilities until April 13th. Panichi highlighted how this time off allowed for new challenges outside of tennis. “We encourage Jannik to engage in activities that break the routine—like playing golf or visiting museums,” he said. “These experiences keep his mind fresh and help him come back motivated and rejuvenated.”
Panichi emphasized that while Sinner wasn’t happy about the suspension, it gave him time to reset mentally. “He has rediscovered himself and undergone a detoxification process. Mentally, he’s transformed. He will return to Rome with incredible motivation and a new sense of freshness.”
Drawing on his extensive experience, Panichi also reflected on his years working with Djokovic, from 2017 to 2024, a period during which the Serbian star won 12 Grand Slam titles. “Managing a player like Djokovic was a great learning experience. It was a crash course in tennis, and I’ve applied that knowledge to understanding exactly what Jannik needs at this moment in his career.”
