Novak Djokovic part ways with physio in last-minute change ahead of Australian Open campaign

Changes in coaching staff on the eve of a Grand Slam aren't the kind of change often associated with success among tennis' elite. But that's the risk Novak Djokovic took just before his highly anticipated return to the Australian Open in January.

The Serb has parted ways with physiotherapist Ulises Badio after five and a half successful years working side by side. And Badio's replacement appears to have been snapped up already after Djokovic was seen working with Italian Claudio Zimaglia ahead of the 2023 Adelaide International 1.

Badio's departure will come as a surprise to fans given that he and Djokovic had formed, as the physio said earlier in 2022, an "important bond" since joining the team in May 2017. The decision was also made just over two weeks away from Djokovic's return to Melbourne, with expectations rising ahead of his bid for a record 10th Australian Open title.

Despite missing the Australian and US Open tournaments in 2022, 'Nole' added to his Grand Slam collection by beating Nick Kyrgios to retain his Wimbledon crown. New physio Zimaglia - who is listed as a 'professor at the Turin Osteopathy Academy' - hopes to play his part in adding to the 35-year-old's 21 major medals (one less than record holder Rafael Nadal).

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It was in July, shortly after Djokovic's seventh Wimbledon win, that Badio opened up about the permanent nature of their relationship. The Argentine described the increased responsibility when working with someone like Djokovic, who has a reputation as one of, if not the most in-form player on the ATP Tour.

"We work with him 24 hours a day," he told Spanish newspaper Diario Sur. "It's not enough to spend four hours with him, during his training, and to see him before the match. I follow him at all times, even when he is sitting to see how he is doing, or how much water he has. drunk, or if someone has been talking to him for a long time on the phone: every little detail can influence him during the game.

"When I joined the team, I knew how to work and what my professional job was, but not what my role was in the team. However, Novak and I created a close bond and started to know us, creating this important bond."

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