Holger Rune just made a pretty smart move. He’s hired the same fitness trainer that Jannik Sinner dropped right before Wimbledon 2025.
We’re talking about Marco Panichi, who Sinner brought on after the 2024 US Open. That hiring happened just weeks after Sinner had to fire his previous fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi.
The reason? They were involved in Sinner’s positive test for clostebol at Indian Wells 2024.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holger Rune | 22 | 2,540 | 22 - 12 |
Sinner didn’t just get Panichi. He also brought in Ulises Badio at the same time. Both guys had worked with Novak Djokovic before, so it seemed like a perfect fit for the world No. 1.
And honestly, it was working great.
Sinner’s fitness improved big time while working with Panichi. This was especially noticeable during his three-month suspension, which lasted until just before the Italian Open in May 2025. Everyone thought they’d stick together for years.
That’s why it was such a shock when Sinner suddenly cut ties with both Panichi and Badio.
The four-time Grand Slam champ never really explained why. He just said it felt like the right move for him.
But Panichi’s reputation speaks for itself. The guy’s worked with Grand Slam champions, and now he’s got a new gig with Rune.
Aneke Rune, Holger’s mother, broke the news to BT. She explained that hiring Panichi isn’t just about getting Holger in better shape.
“We will welcome Marco Panichi to the team. He brings enormous experience – not just in the physical aspect, but everything related to building a grand slam winner. That raises the bar another notch.”
It’s about learning from someone who knows how to build champions.
Aneke also mentioned that Panichi has been watching Holger’s career for a while now. The way he worked with Djokovic is exactly what the Rune family wants to see.
“We know Marco very well and have always had a really good relationship with him. And he has always liked Holger. He is in a special class, so it is a huge capacity to have in the team. The way he works, and the way he worked with Novak Djokovic, is very much the way we see a fitness coach in a team where he will also be active in training.”
This announcement comes right after Rune spent three days working with Andre Agassi before the 2025 Citi Open in Washington.
Agassi, who won eight Grand Slams and also coached Djokovic for a while, was basically doing a trial run with the young Dane.
Nobody knows if Rune and Agassi will team up again. Those three days were just to see if they clicked and whether the American legend could actually help him improve.
Here’s the thing about Rune though – he’s only 22, but he’s already made tons of coaching changes.
It’ll be really interesting to see how long Panichi sticks around. Maybe this time will be different. Maybe Panichi becomes the stable influence that finally helps Rune break through to the very top of the game.
