Reports: Novak Djokovic apparently with a new physiotherapist
Novak Djokovic apparently worked on his team. As reported by the Serbian media, the 21-time major winner has parted ways with Ulises Badio and is now working with the Italian Klaudio Cimalja .
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Dec 28, 2022, 05:12 pm
Apparently, shortly before the start of the 2023 season, there is still a far-reaching restructuring in Novak Djokovic's otherwise persistent team. According to Serbian media reports, there has been a separation with long-term physio Ulises Badio. Instead, the 21-time Grand Slam winner has now secured the services of Italian Claudio Cimalja.
Ulises Badio has been part of the team of the long-term world number one since May 2017 and is known as a key figure in the Serb's team. The Serbian journalist Sasa Ozmo described Badio 2021 as the "most important member" of Djokovic's supervisory staff. In particular, the merits in the 35-year-old's elbow problems and the Australian Open 2021, which Djokovic won despite injuring his abdominal muscle in the third round, are classified as extremely important in Djokovic's career.
Djokovic is said to have found a successor
According to Sportklub.rs , there was simply no agreement between Djokovic and his long-term companion in the negotiations to extend the cooperation. Marian Vajda left the 35-year-old's team a few months ago. A successor for Badio seems to have already been found, on Wednesday - where Djokovic trained for the first time in Adelaide - Claudio Cimalja accompanied the Serbs onto the pitch. The Italian is said to work immediately as the 35-year-old's physiotherapist.
Cimalja worked until the end with the American and winner of the NextGen ATP Finals, Brandon Nakashima, and was already under contract with Jannik Sinner or Milos Raonic. The Italian is also a professor at the Academy of Osteopathy in Turin. The first tournament together is just around the corner, Djokovic will compete in Adelaide's ATP 250 event from Monday before going to the Australian Open in Melbourne.