The former physio of Jannik Sinner says he isn’t solely responsible for the two failed anti-doping tests of the world No.1 earlier this year.
Giacomo Naldi has spoken publically for the first time since news of Sinner’s anti-doping violation came to light. During an investigation into the failed tests, it was confirmed that Naldi used a spray for a cut on his hand that contained the banned substance Clostebol. Then when he was treating Sinner, he unintentionally passed on the substance. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared the tennis player of wrongdoing and due to his ability to prove what caused him to fail two anti-doping tests, he avoided a suspension from the Tour.
However, the case has been re-opened after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The organization says the decision of an independent panel that Sinner had no fault or negligence in the failed tests was ‘not correct under the applicable rules”. They are seeking a ban of up to two years with their view being that the tennis star had some responsibility in the incident as he hires those in charge of dealing with his anti-doping compliance.
“I’m sorry like everyone else, but I can’t say anything else because unfortunately, it’s not over yet,” Naldi told La Stampa. “From how this affair has been interpreted by the general public it seems that it was only my fault. But that’s not the case, as anyone who has read the ruling knows. I realise that not everyone has made this effort.”
Under the ITIA ruling, it was confirmed that Sinner’s former fitness coach Umberto Ferrara purchased the spray, called Trofodermin, which contained clostebol for Naldi to use. Trofodermin is available over the counter in Italy. During the doping saga, Ferrara was in charge of anti-doping compliance in Sinner’s team. Sports Resolutions concluded that he ‘failed to ensure that the Trofodermin Spray did not come into contact with the Player.’
Despite the controversy, Naldi insists that there are hard feelings between him and the two-time Grand Slam champion who recently congratulated him on the birth of his first child.
“Jannik was very kind: when Letizia was born, he wrote to me. Like the whole team,” he said. “I have a cordial relationship with Jannik. In general, I have received demonstrations of affection especially from those who know me personally. On social media, however, I have read bad messages and I have been insulted. Because what happened, in the telling of this story, happened a little badly.”
Under current rules, Sinner is free to continue playing on the Tour while the WADA appeal is being processed. It is not known when a decision will be made but it is possible that it won’t be until early next year.
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