Jannik Sinner’s team has confirmed the world No.1 is once again working with fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara ahead of the US Open.
The decision comes less than a year after Sinner stopped working with Ferrara, as well as physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, following his positive doping tests. In 2024, Sinner tested positive for the anabolic steroid clostebol but was cleared to continue playing by The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) which concluded that he had no fault in the positive test.
It was accepted that his former physio, Naldi, inadvertently contaminated Sinner after using Trofodermin (which is available over the counter in Italy) for a cut on his hand, which contained the banned substance. Ferrara, who was head of anti-doping compliance in Sinner’s team, was the person who gave Naldi the Trofodermin to use.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) then launched an appeal arguing that Sinner had an element of responsibility in his failed drug tests as he was in charge of ensuring those who worked for him were following the right protocol. Following a case settlement earlier this year between WADA and Sinner’s legal team, he was suspended for 90 days. During the investigation, no evidence suggested Sinner intentionally meant to consume a banned substance.
“Umberto has played an important role in Jannik’s development to date, and his return reflects a renewed focus on consistency and top-level performance,” a statement issued to Sky Sports Italy reads.
The rehiring of Ferrara fills the void of trainer Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio, who were both removed from Sinner’s team shortly before Wimbledon. At the time, Sinner said he decided to end those collaborations because he wanted ‘to do something different.’
Sinner recently became the first Italian player to win Wimbledon after beating Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets. He is yet to publically comment on working with Ferrara again,
