Jannik Sinner's former fitness trainer, Umberto Ferrara, has been hired by Matteo Berrettini despite Ferrara's role in Sinner's ongoing doping case.
Ferrara was a member of Sinner's team for two years. The 23-year-old became much physically stronger during his time working with him, proving Ferrara's abilities as a fitness coach.
Sinner's breakthrough 2024 season was significantly due to those physical improvements. He and Aryna Sabalenka were recently honored for finishing as the year-end No. 1s on the ATP and WTA Tour.
Unfortunately, rather than being able to take pleasure in Sinner's success, Ferrara played a pivotal role in the doping saga that has plagued the US Open champion for several months.
Sinner twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol at March's Indian Wells, and the explanation the world No. 1 gave of how the substance entered his system makes Ferrara largely to blame.
Giacomo Naldi, Sinner's physiotherapist at the time, had a cut on his finger. Ferrara gave him a spray for it, not realizing that the product contained traces of clostebol.
After using the spray, Naldi gave Sinner massages without gloves on. That led to a minuscule amount of the banned substance entering Sinner's body on two occasions, causing the failed tests.
Sinner was initially cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency(ITIA), but the World Anti-Doping Agency decided to appeal the case, arguing Sinner bears more fault for the failed tests than the ITIA found.
A verdict in the case is not expected to be reached until early 2025, meaning Sinner faces an anxious wait until then. He is currently competing in the ATP Finals, where he won his second consecutive match against Taylor Fritz on Tuesday.
Sinner did not fire Ferrara while the ITIA's investigation was taking place. However, when the case became public, the world No. 1 removed Ferrara and Naldi from his team, saying he could not trust them anymore.
According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, that incident has not dissuaded Berrettini from working with Ferrara. He will collaborate with the fitness trainer to get himself physically stronger for the 2025 season.
Berrettini already made a surprising change to his team a few weeks ago after parting ways with his coach, Francisco Roig. The 2021 Wimbledon runner-up won three titles this season under Roig's guidance but still decided to part ways with him.
Although choosing Ferrara is somewhat surprising, Berrettini's focus on fitness is not. He has suffered from several severe injuries in the last few years, hampering his chances of competing for the most significant honors in tennis.
For example, the 28-year-old was sidelined for six months after last year's US Open due to an ankle injury. Berrettini's return has been impressive since then, but he will be desperate to avoid any other physical problems.
Despite firing Ferrara after his role in the positive tests, Sinner also praised him and Naldi for helping him get to the top when announcing their departure. Berrettini must have been reassured enough to work with the fitness trainer.