“He can become like a boiling pot with the water pouring out but it was an unbelievable experience” – Interview with Marco Panichi, former fitness coach of Novak Djokovic
Marco Panichi, long-time fitness coach of Novak Djokovic, talks to Tennis Majors about his collaboration with the 24-time Grand Slam champion and reflects on the highs and lows of the time they spent together
Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic
On a sunny afternoon at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre, a familiar face strolls around the courts, but his environment is not at all familiar. After spending seven years in the Novak Djokovic team, Marco Panichi is now helping someone else – his new pupil is the 19-year old Chinese prodigy Juncheng Shang.
During his long and illustrious career, Panichi – a two-time former Italian long jump champion who graduated in ‘Sport Coaching and Sport Psychology’ at NSU University, Florida – helped many players including Daniela Hantuchova, Fabio Fognini, and Philipp Kohlschreiber.
He is best-known as being an integral part of Djokovic’s team from 2017 up until their split in May this year. Speaking to Tennis Majors, Panichi talks about the stress level working with Djokovic, remembers the ‘beautiful moment’ after the final in Cincinnati with Carlos Alcaraz, but above all emphasises that it was a privilege to work alongside Novak for seven years.
Looking back on all those years with Novak, what are the few things that stand out on your journey together?
MARCO PANICHI: Not only a few! First of all, it was an unbelievable experience, unbelievable ride. I learned a lot every day – how to become more professional and more ‘into’ what we need to do. I learned how to be ready to organise plan A, B and C if necessary, because there are so many thing going on with great athletes such as Novak, a lot going on behind the scenes, so you need to always be ready to change plans in the last minute. The best gift from all of this, I would say, is the great relationship with a great person.
I know every player is different, but what things that you worked on with Novak do you feel you will be able to implement while working with others?
MARCO PANICHI: It’s true that every player has different needs and different playing styles, but I can absolutely try to implement the discipline and focus Novak had at all times. I am going to tell my future players about how Novak went about things, I am sure that is going to be a huge help, particularly for the young players.
What was the stress level working with Novak?
MARCO PANICHI: Ah! With a player of his stature there is always stress. You have to deal not only with the player, but with the whole organisation – a player like him is like an industry. That’s the source of stress. Also, elite player such as him always pushes you to do more and more and more. It’s part of the game, though.
You need to create a bond with your player
Marco Panichi
Djokovic always used to say that you’re not only his fitness coach, but psychologist in a way as well. He emphasised the conversations you two had during the first part of every preparations when you worked on fitness the most…
MARCO PANICHI: I think that is part of my job too. You need to create a bond with your player. By that, I mean to understand how he operates, to understand the communication channels you need to have with that person compared to others. Our job is not only to run, jump, and all that, but to make yourself trustworthy, which is essential for every relationship.
Novak can be quite difficult during matches, how did you handle all that?
MARCO PANICHI: Well, we knew it was nothing personal, we knew that he needed that sometimes in order to perform at his best. We knew how his mind worked – when to tell him something, when not to say anything. He is just that kind of players that sometimes needs (to get that out of his system).
If you could single out a few of the most memorable matches with him, what would those be?
MARCO PANICHI: There were so many. For me, last year’s final with Alcaraz in Cincinnati was something amazing. That match was tremendous, not only from a tennis standpoint, but also mentally. Effort and resilience from those two great players, it really was something extraordinary. But the most wonderful moment happened in the locker room after the final.
The guys were destroyed physically because it was so hot, but after three minutes we were all laughing together, both teams. Amazing spirit. We all enjoyed what we did. Of course, Carlos was a little bit sad in the beginning, but he was perfect after a while too. That moment was beautiful – they were ’enemies’ on court, sporting enemies, but after…unbelievable.
Besides that, what was your most emotional moment with Novak?
MARCO PANICHI: I would say… hmm… some training camps, training weeks – it was beautiful to share many things on the court, but off it as well. Many, many memorable moments.
And what was the hardest moment during your collaboration?
MARCO PANICHI: 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 (laughing). It was not all hearts and flowers, of course, but it was a great privilege to work with him, as I said.
Lastly, what are your future plans?
MARCH PANICHI: I am with Jerry (Shang) now. He is a young, up and coming player. He is very good, We’ll see what the future brings.
