Jannik Sinner drops trainer and physio after doping drama

World No. 1 tennis player parts with longtime team after escaping punishment for accidental doping

NEW YORK:

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner recently announced on Friday that he has dismissed his trainer, Umberto Ferrara, and physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, following his escape from a potential doping ban despite failing two drug tests in March.

The Italian tennis player tested positive for the steroid clostebol, commonly used to enhance muscle mass, after Naldi had applied an over-the-counter spray containing the substance to a cut on his own hand. Subsequently, Naldi treated Sinner, unknowingly contaminating him with the substance. The spray had originally been provided to Naldi by Ferrara.

Last week, a tribunal cleared Sinner of any fault or negligence, accepting his explanation that the contamination was accidental. This ruling was acknowledged by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The positive drug test results became public just a day after Sinner secured his fifth title of the year at the Cincinnati Open.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the US Open, Sinner expressed his gratitude for the contributions of Naldi and Ferrara to his career, while explaining his decision to part ways with them.

"They have been a huge part of my career," Sinner stated, "We achieved great success together, but due to these mistakes, I no longer feel confident continuing with them." He admitted to struggling for months, awaiting the tribunal's decision, and now seeks to move forward with "some clean air."

The case has sparked widespread debate, as it contrasts with the usual protocol where players who fail drug tests are often suspended while investigations are ongoing. Sinner, however, maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, explaining that his team had swiftly identified the source of the contamination, allowing him to continue competing. "The reason I was able to keep playing was that we knew exactly where the substance came from and how it entered my body," Sinner explained. "It was crucial for us to share this information during the process, and the authorities understood it immediately."

When questioned about whether he was concerned about how this controversy might impact his reputation, Sinner expressed confidence in his innocence. "In my mind, I knew that I hadn't done anything wrong," he said. "Anyone who knows me well knows that I would never break the rules. As for my reputation, we'll see what happens moving forward – that's something I can't really control."

The case has prompted allegations of a double standard within the sport, with some players and commentators suggesting that Sinner's high ranking may have afforded him more lenient treatment than others who have tested positive for banned substances. British tennis player Liam Broady took to social media, noting that many players in similar situations have had to wait months or even years for their innocence to be established.

Similarly, ESPN analyst and 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert shared her belief that top-ranked players, like Sinner, often face different consequences. "I do think they protect the top players," Evert said. "There’s some level of protection that players ranked lower don't get."

Despite these accusations, Sinner strongly denied receiving any special treatment, stating that the process was the same for all players who test positive. "Every player who tests positive has to go through the same process," Sinner emphasised. "There are no shortcuts, no different treatment – it's the same process for everyone." He acknowledged the frustration of other players but suggested that their suspensions may have been the result of not being able to immediately identify the source of the banned substance in their system. "The main reason we were able to resolve this so quickly was that we knew straight away where the substance came from and how it got into my system."

American tennis player Frances Tiafoe, who was the last competitor to face Sinner before the doping controversy became public, chose not to engage with the debate, focusing instead on his preparations for the upcoming US Open. "The governing bodies did what they did," Tiafoe commented. "He's been cleared to play, and that's all that matters. I'm just concentrating on the US Open."

As Sinner moves forward from the controversy, the US Open is set to begin on Monday, where the Italian star will be looking to maintain his impressive form amid the ongoing media attention surrounding his case.