Jannik Sinner Opens up On the Surprising Coaching Change Before Wimbledon

Jannik Sinner had previously changed his coaching setup after his controversial doping scandal.

Jannik Sinner Opens up On the Surprising Coaching Change Before Wimbledon

Jannik Sinner and his team (via The Tennis Letter)

On Friday, reports emerged that Jannik Sinner had made unexpected changes to his coaching team just ahead of Wimbledon. The world No. 1 ended his partnerships with athletic trainer Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio. The decision came as a surprise, especially with the tournament set to begin in a few days.

Panichi and Badio had been working with Sinner for less than a year. No official explanation was provided at the time of the announcement. Their sudden exit drew significant attention, given the timing and the fact that Sinner is in peak form this season. Sinner said on Sky Sports Italia:

It was something that had been decided for a long time. Up to now I have always had a good time and we have done great things, but I wanted to do something different and now I am curious to know what will happen in London in the next two weeks. There is no specific reason and I can assure you that nothing sensational has happened.

Sinner also addressed the media during his pre-tournament press conference at Wimbledon. Naturally, many questions focused on the recent staff changes. He appeared composed and ready to move forward, despite the unexpected adjustments in his support team.

The Italian enters Wimbledon as the top seed, holding a strong 19-3 record for the season. He won the Australian Open earlier this year and reached the Round of 16 at the Halle Open, where he lost to Alexander Bublik. Sinner will begin his Wimbledon campaign against Luca Nardi on Monday, July 1.

Can Carlos Alcaraz catch Jannik Sinner’s World No.1 ranking at Wimbledon?

World No.1 Jannik Sinner enters Wimbledon 2025 as the world’s top-ranked player for the second year in a row. Regardless of the tournament’s outcome, the 23-year-old Italian is guaranteed to retain his No. 1 ranking when he leaves London. However, the event remains crucial in the season-long rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz, who is looking to close the gap and build momentum.

Jannik SInner and Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik SInner and Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Open Source)

Sinner leads Alcaraz by 1,130 points in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. But Alcaraz is defending 2,000 points from last year’s Wimbledon title, while Sinner only has 400 points to defend from his previous quarterfinal finish. Even if Sinner loses early and Alcaraz wins the title again, the Italian will stay at No. 1. Still, a title defense from Alcaraz would turn up the pressure on Sinner going into the second half of the season.

Sinner had a dominant close to 2024, winning big titles in Cincinnati, Shanghai, and the US Open. Improving on his Wimbledon result could help him tighten his grip on the top spot and gain momentum in the Live Race to Turin.

Alcaraz currently leads the Live Race standings by 2,240 points after winning in Rome and Roland Garros, where he beat Sinner both times. With an 18-match win streak and an 8–4 edge in their head-to-head record, Alcaraz enters Wimbledon in red-hot form.

Beyond the Sinner-Alcaraz battle, other ranking stories are unfolding. Jack Draper, now ranked World No. 4, is chasing Alexander Zverev, who sits 1,850 points ahead. Lorenzo Musetti is not far behind Draper in the standings. Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, and others are also in the mix for Nitto ATP Finals qualification, making Wimbledon a pivotal event in shaping the year-end picture.

Jannik Sinner’s Wimbledon draw analyzed

Jannik Sinner, a three-time Grand Slam winner, will begin his Wimbledon 2025 campaign on July 1. He opens against fellow Italian Luca Nardi, a match he is favored to win. If successful, Sinner will face either Jason Tseng or Aleksandar Vukic in the second round as he sets his sights on a fourth major title.

Jannik Sinner (X/The Tennis Letter)
Jannik Sinner (X/The Tennis Letter)

Fans are already buzzing about a potential Wimbledon final between Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The two met in a memorable French Open final earlier this year, which lasted nearly six hours. Alcaraz, who defended his Roland Garros title, returns to Wimbledon as the reigning champion. A rematch with Sinner is only possible if both reach the final, as they are in opposite halves of the draw.

Sinner faces a challenging route to the championship. A likely semifinal showdown with seven-time champion Novak Djokovic could stand in his way. His section also includes strong threats such as Jack Draper and Lorenzo Musetti, both of whom are capable of causing upsets on grass.

Other notable names in the top half include Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul, two promising Americans aiming for deep runs. Alexander Bublik also adds intrigue after a strong showing in Paris and a recent win over Sinner in Halle, where he claimed his second grass-court title.

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