Carlos Alcaraz expressed empathy and surprise regarding Jannik Sinner’s decision to part ways with his fitness trainer Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio just days before the Wimbledon 2025 Championships, which began on June 30. In a press conference following his hard-fought first-round win over Fabio Fognini (7-5, 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6, 6-3), Alcaraz was asked about Sinner’s choice to compete without these key team members, both former Novak Djokovic staffers hired in September 2024. “For me, it would be tough,” Alcaraz admitted, per *Tennis365.com* and *Sportskeeda*. “I think the ATP has good physios that can take care of the players… but talking about myself, I’ve been with [my team] since a long time ago. I don’t see myself traveling without the physio or the fitness coach. They know my body even better than myself.”
Sinner, the world No. 1, dismissed Panichi and Badio after a second-round loss to Alexander Bublik at Halle, citing a desire to “do something different” without elaborating, per *TheScore.com*. The timing, just before Wimbledon, raised eyebrows, especially given Sinner’s doping controversy last year, where he parted with two other staffers involved in his positive tests for Clostebol, per *JournalStar.com*. Alcaraz, who values his long-term team—including physiotherapists Juanjo Moreno and Fran Rubio, and fitness trainer Alberto Lledó—emphasized the challenge of such a change, noting, “A lot of players are traveling without the physio or fitness coach, but for me, it would be tough.” His comments, shared on X by @tennis365com and @TrackerTennis, reflect a contrast with Sinner’s approach, as Alcaraz relies heavily on his team’s deep understanding of his physical needs.
Despite the shake-up, Sinner delivered a commanding 6-4, 6-3, 6-0 win over Luca Nardi in his Wimbledon opener, showing no immediate impact, per *ATP Tour*. Alcaraz, fresh off a five-set struggle, acknowledged the mental and physical toll of tough matches, referencing his own recovery from past losses, including the 2025 French Open final where he defeated Sinner, per *Yardbarker*. As both players eye a potential Wimbledon final, Alcaraz’s remarks underscore their differing approaches to team dynamics in their intense rivalry.
