Holger Rune Engages Marco Panichi Ahead of Wimbledon 2025
In a noteworthy development ahead of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, Danish tennis player Holger Rune has opted to engage the services of Marco Panichi, the fitness trainer previously associated with Italian star Jannik Sinner.
Background on Jannik Sinner and Marco Panichi
Sinner’s abrupt decision to part ways with Panichi and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi came on the heels of a doping controversy stemming from his positive test for clostebol at the 2024 Indian Wells Open. Following this incident, Sinner took a three-month suspension to focus on his fitness, which he reportedly improved under Panichi’s guidance.
After the 2024 US Open, Sinner appointed Panichi and Ulises Badio, both of whom had a longstanding relationship with Novak Djokovic, as part of an effort to revamp his team after the fallout involving his previous trainers. Despite initial success and noticeable progress, Sinner shocked many observers by deciding to remove both Panichi and Badio from his team without providing detailed reasons, simply stating it was the right decision for him at that moment.
Rune’s New Partnership with Panichi
Despite the unexpected termination of their partnership, Panichi’s reputation as an elite fitness coach remains intact. Recently, Rune’s mother, Aneke, confirmed that her son would start training with Panichi, indicating that the decision was influenced not only by his physical training expertise but also by his experience in cultivating Grand Slam champions like Djokovic. Aneke expressed confidence in Panichi’s ability to elevate Rune’s performance, noting that he has a well-established appreciation for her son and a proven track record in the sport.
Previous Coaching Changes and Future Prospects
Additionally, the announcement of Rune’s new partnership with Panichi follows a brief collaboration between Rune and tennis legend Andre Agassi, who coached Djokovic during his career. This three-day trial aimed to explore their potential working relationship as Rune prepares for the ongoing 2025 Citi Open in Washington.
Rune has made multiple coaching changes early in his professional journey, so it remains to be seen how long Panichi will remain a fixture in his entourage. Many observers are eager to see if this partnership will defy the transient nature of Rune’s previous coaching decisions and provide the stability that could propel him to the upper echelons of the sport.
