Jannik Sinner Finally Breaks Silence About Decision to Re-hire Fitness Trainer Umberto Ferrara

Jannik Sinner will be locking horns with Vit Kopriva or Daniel Elahi Galan in his opening round of the Cincinnati Masters.

Jannik Sinner Finally Breaks Silence About Decision to Re-hire Fitness Trainer Umberto Ferrara

Jannik Sinner, Umberto Ferrara (Image via X/Swish Tennis, The Sinner Times)

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Jannik Sinner has made it clear that he won’t be answering questions related to his fitness trainer, Umberto Ferrara. Sinner is in Cincinnati, gearing up for the second Masters 1000 of the North American hard-court swing.

In the pre-tournament press conference, the Italian ace was asked about his decision to re-hire Ferrara, who joined Sinner’s entourage after the World No.1 fired Marco Panichi. It was Ferrara, who bought the contaminated spray from Italy, that eventually led to Sinner failing doping tests twice last year.

Yeah, I think we said it all, everything in the statement. I’m very happy to be here and play again this tournament.

Jannik Sinner said at the press conference when he was asked about Umberto Ferrara

Ferrara had recommended the spray to Giacomo Naldi, who at that time worked as Sinner’s physio. Naldi used that spray to heal a cut on his finger, and with bare hands when he massaged the four-time Grand Slam champion, it contaminated the 23-year-old.

After the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) published Sinner’s doping report for the first time, it sparked massive controversy, mostly because Sinner avoided a lengthy ban as punishment. Amid heavy backlash, Sinner ended the partnership with both Ferrara and Naldi.

Sinner’s doping case didn’t end just then, for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenged ITIA’s verdict and took the case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but a few months before the hearing, WADA withdrew the appeal and handed Sinner only a three-month suspension.

The ban came after Sinner defended his Australian Open title by breezing past Alexander Zverev. He made his return not before the Italian Open, where his arch-rival denied him the win in front of his home crowd.

Sinner has so far lifted just two titles this year. But these are won in Grand Slam tournaments. After playing the Rome final, Sinner suffered a five-set upset in the French Open final against Carlos Alcaraz, but he avenged his defeat with a four-set win in the Wimbledon final.

Carlos Alcaraz sends ranking warning to Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz, just like Jannik Sinner, skipped the Canadian Open to start his campaign on the North American hard-court swing in Cincinnati. He is projected to meet Sinner not before the championship clash.

Carlos Alcaraz (via X/Wimbledon)
Carlos Alcaraz (via X/Wimbledon)

While Sinner will be bidding to defend his trophy, Alcaraz had come close to the title in 2023 when he failed to cross the final hurdle in the form of 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz will also be aiming to win his sixth title of the season.

He has so far reached seven finals, winning trophies in Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, Rome, Paris, and London (at the Queen’s Club Championships). Because he had mediocre campaigns in North America last year, the five-time Grand Slam champion doesn’t have enough points to defend, and this could help him inch closer to dethroning Sinner from the top of the rankings table.

I am very satisfied with my performance, and I want to continue this momentum. I would like to improve my tennis in several areas, but for now, the most important thing is to maintain the pleasure on the court and be happy off it, participating in the most important tournaments in the world. My goal by the end of the season is to regain the world number one ranking.

Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference

Last year in Cincinnati, the 22-year-old suffered an opening-round exit, while at the US Open (which he lifted in 2022), Alcaraz lost in the second round. Sinner emerged victorious at Flushing Meadows last year by defeating home favorite Taylor Fritz. Alcaraz holds an 8-5 head-to-head lead over Sinner, who suffered five consecutive defeats against him before he broke the streak in the Wimbledon final.

Also read: Ben Shelton Reveals He’s “Comfortable” About His Evolution Following His Quarter-Finals Win Over Alex de Minaur in Toronto