Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner has reinstated Umberto Ferrara as his fitness coach, nearly a year after terminating their professional relationship amidst a doping controversy. This decision follows Sinner’s recent dismissal of fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio, leading to changes within his support team.
In an official statement, Sinner’s team highlighted Ferrara’s significant contribution to the young athlete’s development, indicating that his return signifies a focus on maintaining continuity and enhancing performance. The decision to bring Ferrara back was made in conjunction with Sinner’s management team and is part of the ongoing preparations for upcoming tournaments, with Ferrara starting immediately.
This reshuffle comes on the heels of Sinner’s defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in a grueling five-set final at the French Open last month. Following that match, Sinner announced the removal of Panichi and Badio. Notably, during his victory over Alcaraz at Wimbledon, he did not have the support of full-time trainers.
Last year, Sinner faced challenges when he tested positive for trace amounts of an anabolic steroid, with the results becoming public just before the US Open. Despite this setback, he triumphed at the US Open, earning it as the second of his four Grand Slam titles. Initially cleared of wrongdoing, it was determined that he had inadvertently come into contact with the banned substance, Clostebol, through a massage administered by his then-physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi. Sinner claimed that Ferrara had provided a product to Naldi for a cut on his finger, and Naldi treated Sinner without gloves. Consequently, both Naldi and Ferrara were let go, although Ferrara briefly worked with fellow Italian tennis player Matteo Berrettini after being dismissed.
The World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the initial ruling, resulting in Sinner agreeing to a three-month ban, which concluded just before the Italian Open in May this year.
As Sinner gears up for a return to competition at the Cincinnati Open next month—where he will defend his US Open title—he is expected to resume training in Monte Carlo following a post-Wimbledon break. Ferrara, who has a background in pharmacy, was originally brought on board by Sinner in 2022, but Naldi has not been reinstated in Sinner’s coaching staff.