Ex-fitness coach talks about stress level while working with Novak Djokovic who sometimes “becomes like a boiling pot”

Novak Djokovic's former fitness coach Marco Panichi recalled working with the Serb, which wasn't always heart and flowers. 

Ex-fitness coach talks about stress level while working with Novak Djokovic who sometimes “becomes like a boiling pot”

Novak Djokovic, Marco Panichi (Images via X)

Novak Djokovic worked with fitness coach Marco Panichi for seven years until their split in May this year. Djokovic is a player who doesn’t like to lose and working with him is not without dealing with high stress which Panichi talked about in a recent interview. 

Djokovic is at the US Open chasing his 25th Grand Slam title. Panichi, on the other hand, has now joined hands with China’s Juncheng Shang who knocked out Alexander Bublik in five sets in the first round of the US Open to set up a clash with Roberto Carballes Baena. Amidst the ongoing tournament, Panichi said that a player like Djokovic always pushes those who are working with him.

YouTube video
With a player of his stature there is always stress. You have to deal not only with the player, but with the whole organization – a player like him is like an industry.
Marco Panichi told Tennis Majors

Panichi also revealed how working with Djokovic made him more professional but admitted that the ‘best gift’ for him was the ‘great’ relationship with the Serb. About the pressure, Panichi said it’s not always heart and flowers. 

FS Video
The moments when the pressure goes up and Novak becomes like a boiling pot with the water pouring out, so you need to lift the lid.
Marco Panichi added 
RELATED
“What he did was within the rules,” Daniil Medvedev defends Jannik Sinner in doping scandal but feels ‘rules are a bit vague’
Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev

Marco Panichi reveals a memorable match while working with Novak Djokovic 

Last year, Novak Djokovic locked horns with Carlos Alcaraz for the final at the Cincinnati Open. It was their third meeting of 2023 and Djokovic avenged his Wimbledon final defeat with a win over the Spaniard 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4). Marco Panichi called this match one of the few memorable ones he has seen while he was still a part of Djokovic’s team. 

Novak Djokovic (6)
Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago)
The guys were destroyed physically because it was so hot, but after three minutes we were all laughing together, both teams. Amazing spirit.
Marco Panichi said 

Djokovic decided to skip this year’s Cincinnati Open after clinching the gold medal at the Paris Olympics with a thrilling victory over Alcaraz in the final. Alcaraz played in Cincinnati but wasn’t able to get past beyond his first round. 

At the US Open, Djokovic, who is the second seed, won his first-round match against Radu Albot in straight sets and will next face compatriot Laslo Djere. Alcaraz, on the other hand, survived a scare against Li Tu in his opening match to set up the second-round clash with Botic van de Zandschulp.

In case you missed!