Jannik Sinner Bluntly Responds To Question About Rehiring Of Former Fitness Trainer

Jannik Sinner was in no mood to elaborate much further about his shocking decision to work with Umberto Ferrara again when asked about it at the 2025 Cincinnati Open.

Ferrara was Sinner's fitness trainer until the Italian fired him when his high-profile doping scandal became public. His and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi's removals before the 2024 US Open were caused by their roles in Sinner testing positive for the banned substance clostebol.

Naldi was given a product containing the prohibited substance by Ferrara to treat a cut finger. The clostebol entered Sinner's systems after being given massages by Naldi without gloves on, leading to the 23-year-old's subsequent nightmare.

Sinner ultimately served a three-month suspension from February until a few days before the 2025 Italian Open began in May. A few weeks after the 2024 US Open, he hired Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio as his new fitness trainer and physiotherapist.

The ATP world no. 1 surprised many by parting ways with Panichi and Badio a few days before the 2025 Wimbledon Championships. Sinner did not give many details about his move but confirmed it was his decision.

While that was unexpected, Sinner's rehiring of Ferrara led to widespread astonishment. Wanting to work again with one of those responsible for the doping ordeal that subjected him to so much anxiety was stunning.

In his pre-tournament press conference at the Cincinnati Open, a reporter tried to get more details specifically from Sinner about the move, since the only announcement about it before that had been from his team collectively.

Sinner, undoubtedly aware of the controversy and possible negative public relations impact of having Ferrara in his team again, gave a short response that offered no new insights into why he made the decision.

Although Sinner does not want to discuss the matter, it might not be the final time he is asked about it. US Open reporters could want more detail, especially since he sacked Ferrara a few days before last year's iteration of the tournament at Flushing Meadows.

Sinner is known for his calm demeanor, which he managed to maintain throughout his doping saga. However, further questions about Ferrara might irritate him, even though he caused that possibility by rehiring the fitness trainer.

The Italian's level was incredible while the outcome of his doping case remained uncertain. Sinner won the 2024 US Open and 2025 Australian Open and kept firm control of the No. 1 ranking.

Firing Panichi and Badio before Wimbledon also did not distract him. He secured a maiden title at SW19 by beating Carlos Alcaraz in four sets, avenging his brutal French Open final loss to the same opponent a few weeks previously.

That evidence suggests Sinner will perform well again at the US Open by putting aside any outside influences. The role of his co-coaches, Darren Cahill, who may stay in the role next season after initially planning to retire from coaching, and Simone Vagnozzi has been pivotal in helping him stay focused.