Carlos Alcaraz Gives His Take on Jannik Sinner’s Decision to Part Ways with Physio and Fitness Coach

Carlos Alcaraz is aiming for a third straight Wimbledon title, while Jannik Sinner is still chasing his first appearance in the final.

Carlos Alcaraz Gives His Take on Jannik Sinner’s Decision to Part Ways with Physio and Fitness Coach

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Janniksin_Updates, Carlos Alcaraz Brasil)

Jannik Sinner parted ways with his physio Ulises Badio and fitness trainer Marco Panichi, both of who joined his team last year. What was surprising about this end of the partnership was that they left the team just a few days ahead of Wimbledon.

Sinner hired Badio and Panichi last year after ending his partnership with physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi and fitness coach Umberto Ferrara because of the doping scandal and for their negligence, the 23-year-old had to serve a three-month ban this year. As per rumors, one of Panichi’s recent interviews resulted in a split.

When asked during the pre-tournament press conference at Wimbledon about the split with Badio and Panichi, Sinner said “Nothing major happened.” Now Carlos Alcaraz, following his first-round win was asked at the press conference about Sinner’s coaching situation; whether he would be able to play a Major without his physio and fitness coach.

A lot of players are traveling without physios and without a fitness coach. Talking about myself, I’ve been with them since a long time ago. Right now I don’t see myself traveling without the physio or fitness coach. I built a really good relationship with both. They know my body even better than myself. For me, it would be tough.

Alcaraz battled past Fabio Fognini in five sets. Despite being the two-time defending champion here, Alcaraz suffered from nerves, which tricked him into thinking that he was playing on the Centre Court for the first time in his career.

Alcaraz and Sinner could face each other if they both reach the final. The Spaniard holds an 8-4 head-to-head record over the Italian and registered his five consecutive wins over him after the French Open final, which the latter lost in five sets after squandering three championship points in the fourth set.

Sinner will be hoping to reach the final at Wimbledon this time. His best performance came in 2023 when he reached the semifinal and lost to eventual runner-up Novak Djokovic in straight sets. Last year, Daniil Medvedev ended his run in the quarterfinals. Sinner will start his Wimbledon campaign against compatriot Luca Nardi.

The three-time Grand Slam champion has lifted just the Australian Open this year. Following his three-month doping ban, Sinner lost to Alcaraz in the Rome and Paris finals and to eventual winner Alexander Bublik in the second round of the Halle Open, which he played to defend his title.

Carlos Alcaraz to play Oliver Tarvet in the second round

Carlos Alcaraz will be up against a player who is playing his first-ever Grand Slam tournament. It’s Britain’s Oliver Tarvet who has never even played a qualifying round in a Grand Slam event before this Wimbledon.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz Brasil)

The wild card entrant defeated Leandro Riedi before scheduling the clash with the five-time Grand Slam champion. Alcaraz, even though the 21-year-old British player is ranked 733rd, will not be thinking that he will win against Travet easily. He said at the press conference:

I heard his name for the first time when he qualified for the main draw. 700th in the world and in the Wimbledon main draw, he won his first ATP match today, I think it’s impressive. If he made it here, it’s because he deserves to be here. I watched a bit of his match before mine, and I saw very good grass tennis, really. I have to be ready, I will try to improve the things that didn’t work today.

Alcaraz, in the previous two finals at SW19, defeated Novak Djokovic, whom he is projected to face again in the final. He entered Wimbledon after lifting his fourth grass-court title at the Queen’s Club Championships by beating Jiri Lehecka.

Also read: Stefanos Tsitsipas Casts Huge Doubt on his Future After Retiring from his Opening Round at Wimbledon