Sinner re-appoints former fitness coach Ferrara

It’s an announcement that’s sure to spark plenty of discussion! In a statement released this Wednesday by Avima, the management company representing Jannik Sinner, it was revealed that the Italian player will once again work with Umberto Ferrara, the fitness coach who was involved in his doping case in the summer of 2024.

“Jannik Sinner has reappointed Umberto Ferrara as his fitness coach with immediate effect. 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. 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.”

Jannik Sinner parted ways with Umberto Ferrara, his fitness coach, and Giacomo Naldi, his physiotherapist, at the end of August 2024, after trust between them had broken down. The Italian went on to win the US Open shortly afterward—his second Grand Slam title.

I wanted to try something different

In April, speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Umberto Ferrara revealed that he had been using a spray containing clostebol for several years to treat a chronic condition and that he had suggested to Giacomo Naldi that he use it to treat a slow-healing cut, while explicitly instructing him to avoid any contact between the product and Sinner.

The Italian player quickly bounced back by hiring fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio in September 2024. But following his loss in the Roland-Garros final, the world number one decided to part ways with both men before starting his grass-court season.

“It’s something that had already been decided some time ago. We achieved great things together and I’m grateful for that, but I wanted to try something different,” Jannik Sinner said at the time.

In the end, he has decided to return to his former coach.