Novak Djokovic’s former coach sends warning to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

Follow us on Google Discover

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz dominated tennis again in 2025…

For the second year in a row, the Italian and Spaniard shared the four Grand Slam titles.

Sinner won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while Alcaraz won the French Open and US Open.

Who is your favorite ATP player right now?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Those results saw the pair finish 2025 ranked number one (Alcaraz) and two (Sinner) in the world.

Many expect them to continue their reign of terror in 2026, although Novak Djokovic’s former fitness coach, Marco Panichi, doesn’t think it will be easy.

Marco Panichi says Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner can’t be ‘distracted for a single day’

During an interview with ‘la Repubblica‘, Panichi shared his thoughts on the world’s top two players.

“He [Jannik Sinner] and [Carlos] Alcaraz are a cut above, but they know that to stay ahead, they can’t be distracted for a single day,” said Panichi.

“Because the others are also making progress.

“You have to always be at your best: physically and mentally.

“It’s not easy.”

Panichi rightly noted that the chasing pack is improving, but just how big is the gap between Sinner/Alcaraz and the rest of the field?

ATP top 10

Third-placed Alexander Zverev trails world number two Alcaraz by over 6,000 points.

While the likes of Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Taylor Fritz have made steps forward, there’s still a long way to go before they catch the top two.

There is another player, however, who could pose a real challenge to Alcaraz and Sinner in 2026.

24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has four or more wins against both players, and knows how to produce his best tennis at the big tournaments.

While his legs may be fading at 38, Djokovic still has the same elite mentality that Panichi witnessed firsthand.

“Novak [Djokovic] was always light years ahead when it came to managing his emotions,” said Panichi.

“We clicked, we developed a very strong human connection. I’ve never met anyone so curious, so eager to learn and give back.

“His greatness was in sharing: you gave instructions, and he metabolized them with his own code.

“He had an obsessive discipline and attention to detail.

“Every time he wanted to try something more: I remember certain evenings, exhausted but happy.”

Panichi also spent time alongside the former world number one Sinner, but departed his team in 2024, amid the Clostebol controversy.

The Italian joined Holger Rune’s team in 2025, but with the Dane out for the foreseeable future with an injury, it’s unclear when we will see Panichi back on tour.

Who has the edge in the Carlos Alcaraz/Jannik Sinner rivalry?

Panichi warned Alcaraz and Sinner that they should be wary of those ranked below them, but the reality is that they are a cut above, at least for now.

So if it is to be Alcaraz and Sinner that battle it out for the four Grand Slams in 2026, who is most likely to come out on top?

Well, through 16 career meetings, it’s Alcaraz who leads their head-to-head, 10-6.

Only time will tell if Alcaraz can maintain his winning record in 2026.

The pair could potentially face off in the final of the 2026 Australian Open, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 1.