Jannik Sinner's controversial fitness coach emotionally thanks him for his 'trust'
NewsSunday, 23 November 2025 at 16:40
Umberto Ferrara released a euphoric message after Jannik Sinner won his most significant title since controversially rehiring the fitness coach a few months ago at the 2025 ATP Finals.
Ferrara returning to Sinner's team seemed unthinkable when the four-time Grand Slam champion fired him and Giacomo Naldi for their role in his doping case, which caused so much division and anxiety for the player.
At the 2024 Indian Wells Open, Ferrara handed Naldi, Sinner's physiotherapist at the time, a product for a cut finger that contained traces of clostebol. Naldi then gave the 24-year-old massages without gloves after using the item, causing him to test positive for the banned substance.
Despite retaining Ferrara and Naldi while an investigation was conducted in private, Sinner sacked them a few days before the 2024 US Open, claiming he could no longer trust them after their roles in his testing positive.
A few weeks later, Sinner appointed Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, both of whom had worked with Novak Djokovic. His physical improvements under them meant there was widespread surprise when he split from them shortly before the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.
However, that was minuscule compared to the widespread astonishment when Sinner rehired Ferrara shortly after Wimbledon. Many considered it disrespectful to the doping process since Sinner served a three-month ban earlier this season.
Rather than feel uncomfortable about the situation, Ferrara posted delightedly on Instagram, writing that returning from the dark moment of being kicked off Sinner's team was beautiful.
"I’ve been in sports for many years, but I’ll never stop being amazed at how beautiful it is. Sport is commitment, dedication, sacrifice; it’s emotion, smiles, tears; it’s victory and defeat, joy and disappointment; it’s comparison with oneself and others; it’s a desire to improve, analytical skills, confidence in work."
"It’s suffering in the dark moments that leave you inside a pain that is hard to digest, but it is also believing in the possibility of getting up and starting again with enthusiasm."
While Ferrara was away from Sinner's team, Matteo Berrettini appointed him for a brief spell. That decision by the 2021 Wimbledon men's singles runner-up also sparked controversy, as many believed Ferrara should have been punished for his role in the doping saga.
The fitness coach thanked Berrettini for the opportunity, but reserved his most heartfelt gratitude for Sinner, who gave him another chance and allowed him to experience positive emotions again.
"It’s hard to condense it all into one post. This season (opened with the collaboration with Matteo [Berrettini], who I thank from the bottom of my heart) leaves me with so many unforgettable moments, which I was lucky enough to share with a fantastic team. Thanks to all of them but, above all, thanks to Jannik for the trust and the beauty of this common path."
Sinner has mostly tried to avoid speaking about reappointing Ferrara, but offered a brief explanation after being pushed in a press conference earlier this year. Some being angered by the move is something he has to accept.
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