Sinner’s Shakeup: Coaching Changes Before Wimbledon

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s camp has been rocked by unexpected changes right before Wimbledon 2025. The Italian tennis star has parted ways with two key members of his team: fitness trainer Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio. This shakeup comes as Sinner prepares for the prestigious grass-court Grand Slam, where he’ll be aiming for his first Wimbledon title.

The Departures: Panichi and Badio

The news of Panichi and Badio’s departure broke just days before the start of Wimbledon, sending ripples through the tennis community. Both had joined Sinner’s team in September of last year, brought in to replace Umberto Ferrara and Giacomo Naldi. Their arrival was seen as a strategic move to enhance Sinner’s physical conditioning and recovery, particularly after the controversy surrounding his positive test for Clostebol.

• Marco Panichi: An experienced fitness trainer, Panichi previously worked with Novak Djokovic, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Sinner’s team.
• Ulises Badio: As a physiotherapist, Badio was responsible for Sinner’s physical well-being, aiding in injury prevention and recovery. He also had prior experience with Djokovic.

The timing of their exit raises questions, especially considering the crucial role they played in Sinner’s preparation and performance.

Reasons Behind the Split

As of today, June 27, 2025, the exact reasons for the sudden split remain unclear. Speculation abounds, ranging from personal matters to disagreements over training approaches.

Some potential factors include:

• Personal reasons: Some reports suggest a recent bereavement in Panichi’s family might have played a role.
• Internal disagreements: Differences in opinion regarding training schedules, media commitments, or other aspects of Sinner’s preparation could have led to friction.
• Fallout from the French Open final: The devastating five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros might have prompted a reevaluation of the team’s dynamics and strategies.

Regardless of the specific reasons, the departure of Panichi and Badio represents a significant change in Sinner’s support system.

Sinner’s Team: Who Remains?

Despite these departures, Sinner still has a strong core team supporting him at Wimbledon.

• Simone Vagnozzi: Vagnozzi has been a long-time coach of Sinner and remains a key figure in his team. He provides familiarity and consistency.
• Darren Cahill: Cahill, a highly respected coach with a proven track record, joined Sinner’s team in July 2022. However, Sinner announced earlier this year that 2025 would be the last season with Cahill as his coach, as Cahill intends to retire.
• Andrea Cipolla: Osteopath Andrea Cipolla is currently with Sinner in London, providing additional support.

Moya In, Cahill Out: Coaching Changes Continue into 2026

Looking ahead, further coaching changes are on the horizon for Sinner. It has been reported that Carlos Moya, former world No. 1 and Rafael Nadal’s long-time coach, will be joining Sinner’s team in 2026, replacing the retiring Darren Cahill.

• Carlos Moya: Moya brings a wealth of experience and a proven ability to guide players to Grand Slam titles. His partnership with Nadal was incredibly successful, and he’ll be looking to replicate that success with Sinner.

The addition of Moya signals Sinner’s intent to continue evolving and improving his game, seeking new perspectives and strategies to maintain his position at the top of the rankings.

Sinner’s Journey: From Piatti to Now

To fully understand the significance of these recent changes, it’s helpful to look back at Sinner’s coaching history.

• Riccardo Piatti: Piatti played a crucial role in Sinner’s early development, coaching him from the age of 13. He guided Sinner from a promising junior player to a professional contender. Their partnership ended in 2022. Piatti has admitted to being a strict and sometimes rigid coach with Sinner. He also stated that he knew one day Sinner would leave.
• Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill: Sinner hired Vagnozzi and Cahill in 2022, a move that marked a new phase in his career. The duo has been credited with helping Sinner reach new heights, including his first Grand Slam title and the world No. 1 ranking.

Wimbledon 2025: Challenges and Expectations

As the top seed at Wimbledon, Sinner carries significant expectations. He will begin his campaign against fellow Italian Luca Nardi. The path to the final could see him face tough opponents, including a potential semifinal clash with Novak Djokovic.

Sinner’s coach, Simone Vagnozzi, acknowledges the challenges ahead but remains optimistic about Sinner’s chances. He believes Sinner is in good form and has been training hard in London.

Sinner’s Recent Doping Suspension

Adding another layer of complexity to Sinner’s season is his recent three-month doping suspension. He tested positive for Clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, in March 2024. Sinner argued that the substance entered his system unintentionally through a contaminated healing spray used by his former physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi.

The suspension forced Sinner to miss several tournaments, but he returned to action at the Italian Open in May 2025, finishing as runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz.

Impact on Sinner’s Performance

The coaching changes, combined with the doping suspension and the pressure of being world No. 1, create a unique set of challenges for Sinner at Wimbledon. It remains to be seen how these factors will impact his performance on the court.

Tennis analysts and fans alike will be watching closely to see if Sinner can overcome these obstacles and capture his first Wimbledon title.

The Future: Sinner’s Quest for Grand Slam Dominance

Despite the recent setbacks, Jannik Sinner remains one of the most promising young stars in tennis. His talent, work ethic, and determination have propelled him to the top of the game.

With the addition of Carlos Moya to his coaching team in 2026, Sinner is positioning himself for continued success. He has the potential to dominate men’s tennis for years to come, and his quest for Grand Slam titles is just beginning.