WATCH: Jannik Sinner appears in another injury scare at China Open

Jannik Sinner's latest victory at the 2025 China Open does not hide some slight concerns about a physical problem.

The ATP world No. 2 remains on course for a third consecutive China Open final after beating Fabian Marozsan 6-1, 7-5 in their quarterfinal. He won the tournament in 2023 and narrowly lost to Carlos Alcaraz in last year's final.

Marozsan could have pushed the contest into a decider when he served for the second set, but Sinner won 12 of the 13 points to confirm victory and a semifinal meeting on Tuesday against Alex de Minaur.

Although there were never any doubts about Sinner stepping onto the court for his match against Marozsan, footage has emerged from the Italian's warm-up that indicates he could have a problem.

While on an exercise bike as part of his warm-up, two team members wrapped an ice pack around his right elbow. Sinner did not seem to be in any intense discomfort, but having ice applied is not a usual part of his routine.

The four-time Grand Slam champion has had elbow issues in the past. He managed a problem in that area during his run to the 2025 Wimbledon title a couple of months ago, beating Alcaraz in that event's final.

Sinner also retired in the opening set of his 2025 Cincinnati Open final against Alcaraz, but that was not because of an elbow injury. The 24-year-old seemed to be struggling with Ohio's intense heat before deciding he could not continue.

His straight-sets triumph against Marozsan after having the ice wrapped around his elbow indicates that any issue is manageable, and that a withdrawal before his semifinal against de Minaur is unlikely.

Usually, fans are not concerned about which team members help an ATP or WTA player prepare for a match. However, Sinner's history means that who he works with sparks much more interest.

Ferrara was among the two men most responsible for Sinner testing positive for clostebol at the 2024 Indian Wells Open. He gave Giacomo Naldi, the former world No. 1's physiotherapist at the time, a spray for a cut finger that contained traces of the prohibited substance.

Naldi then gave Sinner massages without gloves after using the spray, which led to the clostebol entering his system. The 2024 ATP Finals champion ultimately served a three-month ban earlier this season.

Sinner fired Ferrara and Naldi when the case became public a few days before the 2024 US Open, claiming he could no longer trust them. They were replaced by Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, two men who used to work with Novak Djokovic.

Many were astounded when Sinner split with Panichi and Badio before his Wimbledon title run, and rehired Ferrara shortly afterward. Most assumed he would not consider working with him again because of his link to the doping saga.

Naldi was not brought back into Sinner's team. Despite Ferrara's reappointment, Naldi insisted in a recent interview that he retains a good relationship with Sinner and has moved on with his life.