Novak Djokovic has expressed his "surprise" at Jannik Sinner's decision to dismiss two key team members just one day before Wimbledon begins.
The Serbian told media that the timing of the Italian's split with fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio caught him off guard.
"I don't know what the reasons for the separation with Jannik are, it was a surprise for me too," Djokovic said.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion particularly noted the unexpected nature of the move given the improvements in Sinner's game and physical condition over the past 18 months.
Novak Djokovic admitted he was 'surprised' at the timing of Jannik Sinner's team dismissals
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The news of the departures emerged on Friday, June 27, with Sinner confirming the split during his pre-tournament press conference at Wimbledon.
Panichi and Badio had joined Sinner's team in September last year following a doping controversy involving the Italian's previous physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi and fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara.
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World no 1 Jannik Sinner announced the decision just days before he is due to kick off his Wimbledon campaign
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Both dismissed staff members have notable histories with Djokovic himself. Badio worked with the Serbian from 2017 to 2022, whilst Panichi was part of Djokovic's team from 2019 until as recently as 2024.
Djokovic said: "I think that Jannik's game and body have improved significantly in the last year and a half.
"As someone who has made changes, I understand that sometimes you simply don't fit in and decide to separate."
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The 38-year-old added: "It's not necessarily just about the professional relationship; it can be something private.
"Maybe you're looking for something new, something different. Then it's hard to generalise because we're all different."
Sinner himself offered a measured explanation for the split, stating: "I decided to do something different. Look, in this sport things can happen. Sometimes a player feels something different, and that's my case."
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The world No 1 emphasised that the changes would not affect his preparations for the Championships.
"Nothing major happened. Nothing big happened," Sinner said.
"I feel ready to compete. I feel free. I feel me and my team, we are ready to do the best we can.
"We've reached incredible results in the past with them, so obviously huge thanks to them."
The Italian acknowledged their successful partnership whilst maintaining his decision was final, concluding: "We made some great job, but I decided to do something different."
Wimbledon commences on June 30, with Sinner facing 21-year-old Italian Luca Nardi on Tuesday.
Djokovic kicks his campaign off against French no 4 Alexandre Muller, with that match poised to take place on the same day.
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