Jannik Sinner is seemingly doing his best to follow in the footsteps of Novak Djokovic after hiring two of his former team members.
Sinner has hired Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, with the former an athletic trainer and the latter a physiotherapist.
Both used to work with the 24-time Grand Slam champion, with Djokovic recently thanking Panichi for their time together.
Sinner’s new team formed right in time for the Shanghai Masters, with the Italian already into the round of 16.
The world number one, who lost the China Open final to Carlos Alcaraz earlier this month, has already won twice in Shanghai.
Jannik Sinner says if he thinks he has similarities with Novak Djokovic
He eased past Taro Daniel 6-1, 6-4 in the round of 64, before a hard-fought 6-7(3-7), 6-4, 6-2 win over Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Sinner discussed his team changes in his press conference after the latter win, having been asked to explain his reasons behind the new appointments and if he sees similarities between himself and Djokovic.
“For sure they have a lot of experience, you know, in working with the world number one for so, so many years,” he said. “Also Marco and Ulises working together, it’s already a big help, because they know each other very well, which for me is very good, and very important also.
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“For sure, they can help me, especially a little bit off the court, trying to see new things and trying where we can improve as a player. They have a lot of experience.
“We have some similarities, me and Novak, but at the end we are still different, so, you know, we have to try to adapt our… whatever is best for me, and trying to understand. But this, it takes time, but I’m very happy to have them on my team.”
Can Jannik Sinner catch Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam tally?
Djokovic has, of course, enjoyed phenomenal success in his career so far, with the veteran still chasing further glory.
That could arrive at the Shanghai Masters, with the Serbian winning his round of 64 match with Alex Michelsen.
Djokovic was pushed hard by the American in Shanghai, but ultimately proved his resilience with a 7-6(7-3), 7-6(11-9) victory.
While Sinner and China Open champion Carlos Alcaraz are the in-form players, Djokovic can rely on his record four Shanghai Masters titles for confidence.
The Italian has a long, long way to go to catch the 24 Grand Slam wins of the Serbian, but he is going about it the right way after clinching his second major title at the US Open last month.
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