Jannik Sinner has confirmed his separation from fitness coach Umberto Ferrara and physio Giacomo Naldi due to drug tests

Jannik Sinner has recently announced the departure of his fitness coach Umberto Ferrara and physio Giacomo Naldi from his team. This decision comes in the wake of two failed drug tests earlier this year, which could have potentially led to a ban for the young tennis sensation. However, Jannik Sinner was absolved of any fault or negligence by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) in connection with these failed tests.

The ITIA accepted Sinner’s explanation that the banned substance clostebol, an anabolic agent, had entered his system inadvertently through a product used by one of his team members to treat a minor injury. Despite the trace amounts of clostebol found in both samples, Sinner successfully challenged a provisional suspension and continued to compete on the ATP Tour. Notably, he even secured victories at tournaments in Halle and Cincinnati.

“They [Ferrara and Naldi] have been a huge part of my career. We worked together for two years. We made an incredible job, bringing a lot of success and then having a great team behind me,” said the Italian during his pre-tournament press conference on Friday.

“Now, because of these mistakes, I’m not feeling that confident to continue with them. The only thing I just need right now, just some clean air. I was struggling a lot in the last months. Now I was waiting for the result, and now I just need some clean air.”

The decision to clear Sinner of any wrongdoing has sparked criticism within the tennis community, with some players expressing surprise at the rapid handling of the case. Nevertheless, Sinner attributes the swift resolution to his capability to provide a credible account of how the substance entered his body.

Despite the exoneration, this experience has cast a shadow over Sinner, who voices concerns about its impact on his standing within the sport. This turn of events follows Sinner’s triumph at the Australian Open earlier this year, marking a significant milestone in his career. As he navigates this challenging period, his focus appears to be on rebuilding and safeguarding his reputation within the game.