"I was very clear in communicating": Jannik Sinner's ex-fitness coach highlights negligence of ex-physio that led to two positive dope tests

The ex-fitness coach of the reigning world number one, Jannik Sinner, Umberto Ferrara, has revealed that he informed physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi about the drawbacks of using Trofodermin, which led to Italy’s Jannik Sinner testing positive in dope tests.

The 23-year-old, who is regarded as one of the best players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category, tested positive for banned substance clostebol in two doping tests in March last year. The reigning world number one, however, managed to escape any ban as The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) declared him innocent following a detailed hearing where his counsel claimed that the substance was available in the player’s sample because he came in close contact with his physio Naldi who used to spray for the treatment of a cut on his finger.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed against the ITIA’s verdict in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and demanded a two-year ban for the three-time Grand Slam winner. However, the issue finally came to a conclusion as WADA announced that they had reached an agreement with Sinner, which will result in the player remaining out of action for three months.

Sinner Ferrara's former fitness coach recently spoke to Italian publication LaGazetto dello Sport, where he stated that he recommended the spray to Naldi for the treatment of a cut on his finger but informed him that he should not come in contact with Sinner. He stated that Naldi did not deny that he was not informed but stated that he did not remember.

"I have been using it [Trofodermin] for years as prescribed by the specialist doctor as a support drug for a chronic disease,” he said. “I was perfectly aware of the ban and I have always kept it with the utmost caution, in my personal bathroom. I didn't give anything to [Giacomo] Naldi (the physio), I suggested using it because he had a cut on a finger that didn't heal and made his job complicated. I was very clear in communicating to Naldi the nature of the product and that there was no need to get it in touch with Jannik. In fact, I only allowed it to be used inside my personal bathroom. Naldi did not deny that he had been informed, but said he did not remember.”