Jannik Sinner has taken action after escaping a lengthy doping ban.
Jannik Sinner has reportedly parted from two members of his coaching staff who were important figures in the world number one’s recent doping scandal. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared Sinner despite two positive tests for a banned drug earlier this year.
An independent tribunal concluded that the small residue of Clostebol found in Sinner’s urine in March could have been caused by his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, mistakenly massaging it into his skin.
Naldi was applying a spray advised by fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara to treat a wound on his finger. Sinner’s camp stated that his sample must have been contaminated by the spray because Naldi was giving him frequent full-body massages.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Naldi and Ferrara have left Sinner’s camp. The 23-year-old was stripped of the prize money and ranking points he earned at the Indian Wells Open, the tournament from which the positive samples were obtained, although he escaped the maximum sanction of a two-year suspension.
After learning of the ITIA’s decision, Sinner stated, “I will now put this difficult and very terrible era behind me. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that I comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping policy, and I am surrounded by a team that is also diligent in their compliance.”
Darren Cahill, the Italian coach, jumped to his defense amid outrage at the ITIA’s leniency. “I just want to stress that he’s maybe the most professional young man that I have ever had the chance to work with,” he said on ESPN. “He would never ever intentionally do anything and he’s in a situation that is incredibly unfortunate.”
Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios was among those who questioned the lack of punishment, writing on X, “Ridiculous – whether it was accidental or planned.” If you are tested twice with a banned substance, you should be barred from returning for two years. Your performance was enhanced. “Massage cream is nice.”
Sinner has an opportunity to silence his skeptics at the 2017 US Open. The one-time Grand Slam champion and top seed at Flushing Meadows will face American Mackenzie McDonald next week.
Only a few players have beaten Sinner this year, and the Italian is coming off a remarkable win at the Cincinnati Masters, where he crushed Frances Tiafoe in the final despite a hip ailment.