Their collaboration will not be interrupted for a long time. The physical trainer Umberto Ferrara and the Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner work together, said in a statement on Wednesday, July 23, Avima, the management company which represents the world number one and recent winner of Wimbledon.
Mr. Ferrara had been dismissed by the athlete in the summer of 2024, after the revelations of two positive controls to a prohibited substance, which occurred a few months earlier, on the sidelines of the Indian Wells tournament (California). Jannik Sinner, who was suspended for three months, from February until the beginning of May, under an agreement with the World Anti -Doping Agency (AMA), has continued to proclaim its innocence.
He claims to have been the victim of contamination by a third party, during a massage provided by a member of his team. The AMA has recognized the accidental character, but still sanctioned the player for his responsibility against his entourage.
Umberto Ferrara and the masseur and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi had been sent by Jannik Sinner in the wake of this case. But the Italian had still retained his confidence in the first, which he qualified as“Excellent preparer” in November 2024. La Gazzetta dello SportMr. Ferrara had recognized, in April, to use “For years” a spray containing clostebol – the prohibited substance in question – which had “Been prescribed by a specialist doctor to treat a chronic pathology”.
“Continuity of performance at the highest level”
According to him, the fault falls to Giacomo Naldi. “I suggested that he use it to treat a cut that did not heal and that complicated his work. I was very clear by communicating the nature of this product to it and the need for it in no way contact with Jannik. I allowed it to use only in my personal bathroom »had explained the physical trainer.
The decision to rehire Mr. Ferrara was made “In full agreement with the Jannik management team and as part of the preparation for (…) Le Masters 1000 Cincinnati et l’US Open »of which the Italian is due to the title, said Avima in his press release.
“Umberto played an important role in Jannik’s development, and his return reflects a renewed concern for continuity and performance at the highest level “, Continues the management company. The fact remains that this decision could once again disturb the image of the world number one, while its spectacular final in Roland-Garros and then its success in Wimbledon against Carlos Alcaraz had made this doping affair pass in the background.
