JANNIK SINNER has rehired the fitness coach that played a key role in his failed drugs tests last year.
Prior to winning Wimbledon this summer, Sinner, 23, served a three-month ban after twice testing positive for banned substance clostebol in March 2024.
Sinner’s explanation was that a spray purchased over-the-counter in Italy by fitness coach Umberto Ferrara had been used by physio Giacomo Naldi to treat a cut.
Naldi is then said to have contaminated Sinner with the substance while massaging his feet.
The world No1 was not initially suspended, and in August last year an International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) tribunal determined that he bore “no fault or negligence” for the contamination.
Following the decision, Sinner axed both Ferrara and Naldi and went on to win the US Open and Australian Open.
The Italian went on to hire Novak Djokovic’s former fitness team Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio – but parted with both prior to his Wimbledon triumph.
Sinner has since filled the vacancy by turning back to Ferrara, in a decision that has raised eyebrows among the tennis community.
Former doubles Grand Slam champion Paul McNamee wrote on X: “Jannik Sinner rehiring Umberta Ferrara has to be up there as one of the most astonishing PR moves in tennis history. You can afford to hire anyone in the world. Why oh why Jannik?”
Sinner eventually served a three-month ban after this year’s Australian Open following the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) decision to appeal the ITIA’s previous verdict to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Prior to the appeal reaching a courtroom, an agreement was reached between WADA and Sinner for the reigning No1 to serve a three-month ban – which enabled him to return in time for his home tournament in Rome, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Upon axing Ferrara and Naldi last August, Sinner said: “I’m not feeling that confident to continue with them.”
Since then, Ferrara appeared to attempt to shift the blame towards Naldi during an interview with Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport.
Sinner’s fitness coach said: “I very clearly communicated to Naldi both the nature of the product, and the fact that it must not come into contact with Jannik for any reason.”
He then went onto add: “I suggested that he use it because he had a cut on his finger that wasn’t healing and was affecting his work. I only allowed it to be used in my personal bathroom.
“Naldi did not deny being told about it, but he said he did not remember.”
Confirming Ferrara’s return to the team, a Sinner statement read: “Jannik Sinner has reappointed Umberto Ferrara as his fitness coach with immediate effect.
“The decision has been made in alignment with Jannik’s management team as part of ongoing preparations for upcoming tournaments, including the Cincinnati Open and U.S. Open.
“Umberto has played an important role in Jannik’s development to date, and his return reflects a renewed focus on continuity and performance at the highest level.”
Sinner has withdrawn from next week’s Masters 1000 event in Canada.
The Wimbledon champion is next scheduled to appear in Cincinnati, before his US Open title defence begins next month.
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