In a trophy-less year, Novak Djokovic is shaking things up. After parting ways with the head coach, Goran Ivanisevic just a month ago, it’s time for the fitness coach, Marco Panichi, to bid farewell to the world’s number one tennis player. Djoker announced a split with his longtime fitness coach on Tuesday. As per reports that are coming out on Wednesday, the Serb has replaced Panichi with the Austrian sports coach and consultant, Gebhard Gritsch. However, the 67-year-old fitness is not new to the Serbian’s camp. He has previously worked with him from 2009 to 2017.

Gebhard Gritsch has witnessed the rise of the ‘Serbinator‘. Novak Djokovic became the world number one and has also won multiple Grand Slam titles during his previous tenure. Although he’s still the world number one, Djokovic has struggled a bit this year. Can the Austrian bring him back to his golden path yet again? Tennis fans will wait for this answer keenly. Gritsch stopped working with Novak Djokovic in 2017 but then a year later he rejoined his team. However, in 2019 he was ultimately replaced by Marco Panichi. And now Gebhard Gritsch replaces Marco Panichi. It’s going round and round!

Novak Djokovic announced his split with Marco Panichi, with a heartfelt note on his social media accounts. He wrote, “Grande Marco, what amazing years of collaboration we’ve had. We reached the summit, won titles, broken records. But most of all, I have enjoyed our most “ordinary” days of training in and out of the gym.”

The Serbian tennis star went on to recall, “Endless hours of “carciofini” and laughs that made me feel super motivated to prepare for success. Grazie Romanista (as Goran calls you) for all the energy, effort and time you invested in making me the best possible player and person I can be. Much love and I will see you soon in Roma. Forzaaaa.” Coaching Novak Djokovic comes with endless different challenges. But why did Gritsch stop working with one of the best in the game?

“I was tired” – Gebhard Gritsch on his earlier split with Novak Djokovic

Recently, Novak Djokovic was spotted with Gebhard Gritsch on the streets of Belgrade while having an intense training session on the stairs under the sun. This indicated that the Serb was all set to start a new partnership with his old friend! However in 2019, when Gritsch was asked about his split with Novak Djokovic, the Austrian said, “I was tired after ten years of traveling. With Novak, you need to be focused every minute of the day. You’re always pushed to the limit. It’s time to do something different now.” 

Then in 2021, he gave an interview with Sport Tirol where he added, “On average, I was on the road with Novak for 40 weeks a year, an incredibly intense time.” But what made him take up the role to train this young Serbian? Well, he was initially pretty much impressed with Novak Djokovic’s special physique. Gritsch added, “How he moves, can still control the ball where others would have lost their balance – all of this is unbelievable, it was great fun.” Can this new partnership bring glory to the Serbian camp this year?