Jannik Sinner rehires fitness trainer whom he sacked after doping scandal
'The decision has been made in alignment with Jannik's management team as part of ongoing preparations for upcoming tournaments, including the Cincinnati Open and US Open,' Sinner's team said was quoted as saying in a statement by Reuters. 'Umberto has played an important role in Jannik's development to date, and his return reflects a renewed focus on continuity and performance at the highest level.'
Sinner had tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid, clostebol, but was cleared by an independent tribunal after he appealed that the failed tests were a result of accidental contamination. His version was that his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, had used an over-the-counter spray which contained clostebol to treat a cut on his finger and then gave him a massage, which resulted in transdermal contamination.
Sinner was cleared by the tribunal in August last year, but sacked both Naldi and Ferrara, claiming he did not feel 'confident to continue' with them after 'their mistakes'. He would later serve a three-month ban between February and May after settling the case with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
In the absence of Ferrara and Naldi, Sinner worked with trainer Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio (a former long-time member of Novak Djokovic's team), during which time he kept his winning charge up, lifting titles at last year's US Open and this year's Australian Open, and also reaching the French Open final. Ahead of Wimbledon, he parted ways with both of them, causing a fair bit of intrigue, which was swept under the rug when he marched his way to the title.
He will now restart work with the fitness team that was pivotal in scripting his rise to the top of men's tennis in the first place.
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