Holger Rune taps up ex-Novak Djokovic coach, says: ‘I see something special in him’

Danish tennis star Holger Rune has revealed why he has teamed up with fitness coach Marco Panichi ahead of the final stages of the season. Rune is looking for a different approach in his fitness, with him previously complaining that he may never reach his full potential if he fails to get completely 100% fit.

He has called on Panichi to help him get back to his best, and has chosen someone with a lot of previous experience and success with a number of top tennis players. He is a well-known figure in the sport. The two-time former Italian long jump champion has formerly coached the likes of Novak Djokovic and, recently, Jannik Sinner.

The Italian joined Sinner's team last September after he let go of Umberto Ferrara and Giacomo Naldi due to the controversial doping scandal surrounding him. Panichi and Ulises Badio both joined in their places and contributed in Sinner's Australian Open final triumph.

The pair were let go just before Sinner's Wimbledon campaign started, as the world number one cited changes in the team after his disappointing Roland Garros defeat against Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner controversially re-hired Umberto Ferrara just after letting Panichi go.

He has a lot of prestige and pedigree in the sport, with him being the fitness coach of Djokovic. they worked together for seven years, which led to 12 Grand Slams - half of the Serbian's total majors. Panichi will now be hoping to work his magic on Rune, who has been touted by many to challenge for the biggest titles in the sport.

The Dane's appointment of Panichi was after a successful trial over a few days in Monaco, where he went through 'very challenging fitness training'. This was an eye-opener for the world number nine, who was challenged in a different way than he was used to. He now sees a chance for development in his game.

“I tried a few days with Marco down in Monaco and for me it was very, very challenging fitness training with him," Rune said in an interview with Ziggo Sport. "It was not only about getting stronger, lifting weights, because that’s not what tennis is about."

“Obviously you need a certain strength, but there’s a lot about the coordination, the biomechanics, and I think he challenged me in a different way that I haven’t tried before.”

His impressive CV also caught the eye of the 22-year-old. He highlighted the success he had with both Djokovic and Sunner, stating that he has a 'spectacular talent'. "His experience working so many years with Novak and a little time with Sinner, I really see the connection of fitness and tennis. "I think he has a spectacular talent for that. So I’m very excited to work with him.”

The pair will officially start working together in the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati. The pair will want to get right down to work with the US Open coming up shortly after the event. Before this, Rune is playing in the Canadian Open in Toronto this week, and sees a huge opportunity for a deep run in the tournament and momentum heading into the final major of the year.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper among the big names to pull out of the event, the Dane is promoted to the fifth seed for the tournament. It is his first tournament since Wimbledon after missing Washington due to a back injury. He faces a tricky opening game, facing off against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard tomorrow, with a possible round of 16 tie against 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev.