Novak Djokovic, who is skipping the Madrid Open this year to focus on the Grand Slams and the Paris Olympics, thanked longtime fitness coach Marco Panichi for his years of service on Tuesday, signaling the end of a working relationship that began in 2017.

Djokovic defeated Roman Safiullin, Lorenzo Musetti and Alex de Minaur in straight sets, setting the clash against Casper Ruud. The Norwegian toppled the Serb 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in two hours and 17 minutes, celebrating his first win over Novak.

Novak Djokovic has split with long-time fitness coach Marco Panichi in the latest shakeup to his team ahead of the season’s second major. On Tuesday, Djokovic published a warm message of gratitude for everything Panichi helped him accomplish in their journey together.

Tennis world No. 1 Novak Djokovic continues to thin out his supporting cast, ending his partnership with fitness coach Marco Panichi shortly after parting ways with Croatian coach Goran Ivanisevic

World no. 2 Jannik Sinner is the top seed at the Madrid Masters. Novak Djokovic withdrew from Madrid, leading the ATP Race leader as the top seed at Caja Magica. Thus, Sinner leads a Masters 1000 draw for the first time in a career, hoping for a good run at Caja Magica ahead of his home Rome Masters.