Jannik Sinner parted ways with his physio, Giacomo Naldi, who accidentally contaminated him with a banned substance, clostebol, and he took to social media to share a message.
Earlier this year, in March, Jannik Sinner tested positive for a banned substance, which could have had devastating effects. The Italian tested positive twice, eight days apart, but the amount found was minimal and not in line with somebody trying to gain a competitive advantage.
That, along with Sinner's explanation, was enough for the ITIA not to suspend him immediately but to allow him to compete while an investigation was ongoing. The explanation provided was that it was accidental contamination through his physio, who gave him a message while he had the banned substance on his hands.
The physio used a spray for a wound on his hand that contained the banned substance. Although it's readily available in Italian pharmacies, it's forbidden in the United States. Ultimately, an investigation cleared Sinner of any wrongdoing, but he still parted ways with the physio due to how the situation that unfolded.
Naldi has now taken to social media, sharing a lengthy message on the situation, which he felt was not reported in good faith by the media.
"It’s true that there are two paths to justice: the real one sanctioned by the courts and the (unfortunately more effective) sanctioned by media. The latter is too often superficial and rarely based on concrete facts, which in this case, by the way, are public."
"As a spectator, I always wondered what was the purpose of spectacular court cases, if not to judge, create or destroy people and their reputation. Today I’m the star, I’ve confirmed it."
He also reflected on the journey from when he joined Sinner's team over a year ago. It was a great journey that included many emotions on the spectrum but also had many amazing moments, especially in recent months. As an Italian, he was proud to make Italian tennis history together with Sinner.
"A year and a half ago I joined a fantastic work group, consisting of good people, great professionals, travel companions. With them I have lived moments of joy and pain, shared emotions, tasted victories and defeats. With the people of this group, I created a strong bond, but above all I was able to achieve historical milestones, that have brought us to the history of Italian tennis."
"I am proud to have been a part of this great Team, aware that I have given my best, that I have been 100% professional but also that I have given more, because when you put your heart into it you are sure to give more. Thank you Vagno, Darren, Umbe, Cipo, it was a beautiful trip, an unforgettable story. Thank you Jannik and good luck, for a great career, you are a champion."
He also thanked people who didn't superficially judge anybody involved in the matter, which seemed to happen almost immediately after the news broke out.
0 Comments