Sinner defends Ferrara's return and explains the reasons for the reconciliation

Carlos Navarro | 15 Aug 2025 | 13.56

Sinner explained why he has returned to work with Umberto Ferrara, implicated in the doping case. Source: Getty

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When the news that Jannik Sinner had tested positive for doping shook the world, two people from his team saw their image clearly damaged and found themselves in the eye of the storm. Umberto Ferrara and Giacomo Naldi, responsible for the physical preparation of the Italian, had a direct role in the contamination that affected him: it was Naldi who treated a cut on his hand with traces of Trofodermin, the cream containing clostebol, and it was Ferrara who bought this cream on earlier dates and provided it to his colleague.

What followed, of course, seemed logical: Jannik Sinner decided to part ways with both and sought new reinforcements. Ulises Badio and Marco Panichi arrived, boasting ample experience in tennis elite after a successful stint alongside Novak Djokovic, but Panichi's methods and outspokenness, revealing details in various TV interviews that should have stayed within the team, didn't fully convince the Italian: just a couple of months ago, Jannik announced yet another change in his team, once again left without physical trainers...

Well, until very recently. The bombshell resounded and surprised insiders and outsiders alike: Sinner rehired Umberto Ferrara, who had been somewhat marked after the doping case, as his main physical trainer. What's the reason behind this change of heart? Why is Jannik opening the door to speculation by hiring someone directly involved in a case that has brought him so many headaches? The San Candido native had never spoken about this matter until yesterday: after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals of the ATP Cincinnati 2025, he was asked in a press conference by Ben Rothenberg and had no qualms about giving his version of the events, explaining the reasons that led him to make this decision.

"I NEEDED SOMEONE WHO KNEW MY BODY BETTER"

The response, at first, was quite straightforward... and refers to the previous work that Ferrara had done with him. "Before, the situation was different. Now, everything has changed. I felt that, at this moment, I needed someone who knew my body better". This is when the Italian was forced to delve deeper into this statement, providing details about the significance of the work Ferrara had carried out with him.

"We worked together for two years before the break. His work has brought me many benefits. We worked on every area of my body: mobility, stability, and I even saw how greatly my body's endurance improved. I think he did a tremendous job. I also got along with Marco (Panichi), but perhaps he wasn't the best choice. I've always had a good feeling with Umberto."

Jannik, who will now face Terence Atmane in the semifinals of the American tournament, tries to settle a controversy that has arisen in recent weeks. The trust in the previous work, despite his involvement in the lowest point of his professional career, has been reason enough to reunite with someone who undoubtedly played a crucial role in the physical transformation that allowed him to compete against the best in five-set matches. Sufficient explanation for the public? You be the judge.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner defiende la vuelta de Ferrara y explica los motivos de la reconciliación