Jannik Sinner has rehired his former fitness trainer, Umberto Ferrara, who left his camp last year following two failed doping tests. The world No. 1 twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol. However, he proved that he was contaminated via a spray that Ferrero gave to his former physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi.
Sinner got rid of Ferrera and Naldi when news of his failed tests and subsequent “no fault of negligence” ruling was announced ahead of last year’s US Open. He still served a three-month ban this year as part of a case-resolution agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency. The Italian then hired Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, two of Novak Djokovic’s former team members, but they left his camp before Wimbledon.
The world No. 1 was left without a fitness trainer or a physio for the latest Grand Slam tournament, but despite picking up an elbow injury in the fourth round, he went on to lift his fourth Major title at the All England Club.
And it has now emerged that Ferrera will rejoin Sinner’s team as his fitness coach ahead of the North American swing.
A statement from Sinner’s camp announcing Ferrera’s return read: “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 the US 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.”
It comes after Sinner successfully argued that his two positive tests in March 2024 were the result of contamination via massages from Naldi.
Ferrera had given Naldi a Trofodermin spray to treat a cut on his finger, which contained clostebol. Sinner successfully appealed both of his provisional suspensions and continued to compete.
Last August, an independent tribunal found that Sinner bore no fault or negligence and did not give him any period of ineligibility. However, WADA appealed this ruling on the basis that Sinner had to bear a degree of responsibility for his entourage’s negligence.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport was set to hear the appeal in April earlier this year. However, in February, WADA confirmed they had reached a case-resolution agreement and Sinner served a ban from February 9 to May 4, including a credit for four days previously served while he was under a provisional suspension.