Jannik Sinner’s Ex-Fitness Coach Makes ‘Overuse’ Comment About His Knee Injury: “Nobody Undergoes Surgery for This Problem”

Jannik Sinner has been out of action since he defended his Wimbledon title by defeating Alexander Zverev. His knee injury ultimately forced him to end his 2026 season.

Although the Italian ace has not revealed any details about his injury, Sky Sport Italy has reported that he is dealing with iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). His former fitness coach, Marco Panichi, who also worked with Novak Djokovic and Holger Rune, said Sinner could need more time to heal.

I don’t know exactly what happened, so it’s difficult to give an opinion. The fact is that when you are constantly operating close to your limits, the risk of injury is there. Just look at what happens to football teams. Iliotibial band syndrome? It’s the classic runner’s injury. It’s an overuse inflammation, especially if your foot placement is not precise. Over time, the band can become inflamed where it attaches on the outside of the knee.

Marco Panichi said during his interview with Gonzo Tennis

Although Sinner has ended his season, he won the most titles on the ATP Tour this season. Before his Wimbledon title defense, the 25-year-old lifted five back-to-back titles, all in Masters 1000s, in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome.

I don’t know exactly what happened to Jannik, but it is a condition associated with running on hard surfaces. If that is what he has, it will keep him out for a while. With conditions of this kind, surgery does not offer the same guarantees as it does for other injuries, such as a torn ACL, for example. Almost nobody undergoes surgery for this problem.

Marco Panichi added

Ending his season cost him his No.1 ranking. Because he will skip the Vienna Open, Paris Masters, as well as the ATP Finals (he is the reigning champion in all these events), Sinner will lose his No.1 ranking to Zverev. Sascha, who clinched the French Open and the US Open, will become the new World No. 1.

Ivan Ljubicic reacts to Jannik Sinner’s injury

Roger Federer‘s former coach, Ivan Ljubicic, has now reacted to Jannik Sinner‘s injury after his decision to end his 2026 season. He recalled the time the Swiss maestro injured his knee in 2016 and ended his season after his run to the Wimbledon semifinals. Federer returned in 2017 and ended his Grand Slam title drought at the Australian Open, winning his first Major since the 2012 Wimbledon.

For Jannik, though, the situation is different. The most important thing is that he resolves the issue and, when he returns, has no more discomfort. For a player, in fact, there’s nothing worse than getting back on the court and still feeling pain.

Ivan Ljubicic told Sky Sports Italy (H/T: The Tennis Gazette)

The next big tournament of the season is the Paris Masters, set to start on November 2. Last year in the final, the five-time Grand Slam champion defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Frenchman Gael Monfils had planned to hang up his racket in his home event. But following his split with Elina Svitolina, he ended his career.

Novak Djokovic is set to return to the tournament he has won seven times. In the French capital in 2023, the 24-time Grand Slam champion last won a Masters 1000 title (also his record-extending 40th Masters 1000 title). He skipped the tournament in 2024 as well as in 2025.

After the Paris Masters, the eight qualified players will gear up for the ATP Finals, scheduled to run from November 15 to November 22. Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final last year.

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz and Ex-Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero Are Set to Cross Paths Again at ATP Finals