Umberto Ferrara, a former physical trainer of Jannik Sinner, rejected on Thursday (3) before the Italian press any responsibility in the case of doping that cost the number 1 of the world tennis a three-month suspension, and pointed his finger at Giacomo Naldi, former Italian physiotherapist.
Testing positive for closet, an anabolic steroid, in March 2024 during the Indian Wells Masters 1000, Sinner, winner of three Grand Slam titles at age 23, has argued since the case was revealed that he was accidentally contaminated through a massage he received from a member of his team.
About the spray that incriminates it, Ferrara explained to Gazzetta Dello Sport in his first public statement: “I have been using him for years because it was indicated by a specialist doctor to treat a chronic pathology.”
“I was perfectly aware of the ban and always kept it with the greatest caution in my personal hygiene,” he continued.
“I did not give it to Naldi, I suggested that I used it to treat a cut that did not heal and that it made it difficult to work. I was very clear when communicating the nature of this product and the need not to come in any case in contact with Jannik. In fact, I only authorized its use in my personal bathroom. Naldi did not denied being informed, but said he did not remember.
The fitness coach ensures that he had no “idea that Naldi had treated Sinner without gloves or without washing his hands after using the spray.
“Looking back, it’s easy to say that I wouldn’t do the same again. No doubt it wouldn’t trust the behavior of others,” Ferrara stressed that, like Naldi, he stopped working for Sinner last August, and is currently part of Matteo Berrettini’s 27th team in the world.
ITIA (International Agency for Tennis Integrity) initially imposed any suspension on Sinner. But Wada (World Anti -Doping Agency) appealed, which exposed the Italian to a two -year suspension before the two parties reached an agreement on February 15, which was criticized by numerous tennis players and experts.
From February 9th to May 4th, Sinner has a three -month suspension. His return to competitions is scheduled for the Rome Masters 1000, May 7 and 18.
Although it has not competed since the Australian Open Title in January, the Italian remains as the leader of the ranking.
After the first Masters 1000 of the year, by Indian Wells and Miami, nor the German Alexander Zverev (2nd), nor the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (3rd) managed to approach Sinner, who remains with a comfortable advantage of almost 3,000 points before the start of the clay season.
