‘Dodgy Dealings’: Dismissed Trainer of Jannik Sinner Blames Others for Tennis Star’s Doping Suspension

The former physical trainer of world No.1 Jannik Sinner has denied any wrongdoing regarding the three-time grand slam champion’s positive doping test.

In his initial public statements since both he and Sinner’s former physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, were dismissed, ex-trainer Umberto Ferrara assigned blame to Naldi for Sinner’s positive results for a prohibited substance.

Sinner and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reached an agreement in February for a three-month suspension after the Italian athlete “acknowledged partial responsibility” for the mistakes made by his team. His ban is set to conclude on May 4.

Sinner claimed that trace amounts of Clostebol found in his doping sample stemmed from a massage he received from his physiotherapist, who applied the substance after sustaining a cut on his finger.

Ferrara had offered the medication to Naldi, asserting to the Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport that he cautioned the physiotherapist of the risks and expressly stated it should never come in contact with Sinner.

He mentioned that he had personally used the spray for years after it was prescribed by a doctor for a medical condition.

“I was fully aware that it was banned, so I always kept it carefully stored in my wash bag,” Ferrara remarked.

“I suggested it to Naldi for a cut that had not healed and was impacting his performance.”

“I made it clear that the product should never come into contact with Jannik.”

“Effectively, I instructed him to use it only in my bathroom.”

“While Naldi did not dispute that he had been informed, he claimed he did not remember.”

Both men were dismissed when trace amounts of the drug were detected in a sample by WADA.

Ferrara claimed his innocence, asserting that he was unaware Naldi had failed to wear gloves and had not washed his hands after treating Sinner, despite having given him “prior warnings”.

“In hindsight, it is easy to say I would approach things differently,” he expressed.

“Naturally, I am not proud of the actions of others.”

“I have endured a lot during this situation due to the ill intentions of some people.”

Ferrara is now working with fellow Italian Matteo Berrettini after his departure from Sinner’s team.