Jannik Sinner Finally Explains Why He Rehired Controversial Fitness Coach Ferrara

Friday, 15 August 2025 at 22:45

byJordan Reynolds

Jannik Sinner has given fans some insights into why he elected to reappoint his controversial fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara.

Sinner fired Ferrara and his former physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi because of their role in his testing positive for the banned substance clostebol at the 2024 Indian Wells Open, which led to him ultimately receiving a three-month suspension.

Ferrara provided Naldi with a product containing clostebol to treat a cut finger he had. Naldi then gave Sinner massages without wearing gloves, and tiny traces of clostebol entered his system as a result.

Sinner sacked Ferrara and Naldi a few days before the 2024 US Open, claiming he could no longer trust either man. That was in spite of his not removing them after being told about the positive tests months before the story became public.

Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, two men who used to work with Novak Djokovic, were hired as their replacements. Sinner surprised many fans by splitting with them a few days before the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.

However, that did not come close to matching the shock felt when Sinner rehired Ferrara. The ATP world No. 1 initially did not want to speak much about the move, but opened up more at the 2025 Cincinnati Open.

Jannik Sinner explains why he rehired Umberto Ferrara

Responding to a question asked by Ben Rothenberg, Sinner thinks Ferrara understands his body better than Panichi and brutally admitted he did not think Novak Djokovic's former fitness coach turned out to be the best choice.

"It was a different situation. Now everything is different. I felt like, at this point, I needed someone who knew my body better. We worked together for about two years before this break. His work has brought me a lot of benefits."

"We worked on every area of my body: mobility, stability, and even my body’s endurance has improved. I think he did a great job. I also got along well with Marco [Panichi], but maybe he wasn’t the best choice. I’ve always had a good feeling about Umberto."

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Without considering any other factors, working again with someone who understands him well is understandable and makes sense. Sinner and Ferrara built a rapport that undoubtedly helped him improve as a player.

However, Sinner's desire to partner with Ferrara again after saying he could not trust him is strange to many and might have harmed his reputation among some players in the locker room.

Some fans think it shows that Sinner does not take anti-doping protocols seriously and has made a mockery of attempts to keep the sport clean by collaborating with one of the two men responsible for his testing positive for clostebol.

Despite accepting a three-month suspension from the World Anti-Doping Agency to end the case and move on with his life and career, Sinner has always said he believes himself entirely innocent.

Although Sinner did not mean to use Clostebol, and his feeling of innocence is understandable, he has opened himself up to criticism by reappointing Ferrara.