Ex-ATP Pro Calls Jannik Sinner’s Major Coaching Decision ‘Astonishing PR Move in Tennis History’

Jannik Sinner has re-hired fitness trainer, Umberto Ferrara, ahead of kick-starting his campaign in America.

Ex-ATP Pro Calls Jannik Sinner’s Major Coaching Decision ‘Astonishing PR Move in Tennis History’

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

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Debates and discussions about the doping saga began to recede after Jannik Sinner‘s stunning performances at the French Open and Wimbledon. By playing tennis of the highest quality right after his three-month ban, Sinner even turned some of his critics into admirers.

But once again, the doping saga is on the headlines all over the world. The reason is Sinner’s shocking decision to re-hire fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara.

It was Ferrara, who had bought the contaminated spray from Italy, and Sinner’s ex-physio Giacomo Naldi used it on himself. But during physiotherapy sessions, Sinner got contaminated and eventually failed the doping test twice in March last year.

Both the anti-doping agencies, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) were censured for being ‘lenient’ toward the World No.1 because of his high-profile status. The fact that WADA was adamant that Sinner should be banned for a year or two, and later handed him just a ban of three months by withdrawing their appeal before the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS), only added fuel to the controversy.

Sinner served his ban, made his comeback, produced powerful performances, which led him to his first French Open final and his first Wimbledon triumph. But just a few days before SW19, Sinner ended his coaching partnership with Novak Djokovic‘s former physio Ulises Badio and fitness trainer Marco Panichi, both of whom had joined his team last year.

That they were fired just before a Grand Slam tournament made the entire thing a bit strange. But more strange was his decision to add Ferrara once again to his team. Reactions one after the other are coming from the tennis world, and the latest to comment was former doubles No.1 Paul McNamee.

Jannik Sinner rehiring Umberta Ferrara has to be up there as one of the most astonishing PR moves in tennis history. You can afford to hire anyone in the world. Why oh why Jannik?

Paul McNamee wrote on X

Check out his post here:

Nick Kyrgios says he has zero chance of beating Jannik Sinner

Nick Kyrgios was confident about making a strong comeback and challenging Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open. But when he played his first singles match after 18 months at the Brisbane International, the result didn’t end in his favor.

Jannik Sinner, Nick Kyrgios
Jannik Sinner, Nick Kyrgios (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ, Jose Morgado)

At the Australian Open, it was no different. While Sinner went on to defend his title, the home favorite lost to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round.

After three consecutive defeats in the first rounds, the 30-year-old finally claimed a win in the first round of the Miami Open. Kyrgios, during the All on the Table podcast, told Serena Williams‘ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou that at this stage of his career and after dealing with various injuries, his body can’t take it anymore.

Right now, I can’t train for two months. When you start training and you get injured, that’s when it’s like it’s not fun as much anymore. There so many rallies now. Like, even the big guys have to rally. And what chance do I have of rallying against Sinner? Zero. Or maybe like 10%…the courts are slow now.

Kyrgios, after the Miami Open, played doubles at the Citi Open with Gael Monfils, but they lost to third seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist has played Sinner only once- in the 2022 Miami Open fourth round, which the latter won in straight sets.

Sinner is not playing the Citi Open and has pulled out of the Canadian Open. The four-time Grand Slam champion will be starting his campaign in the States at the Cincinnati Masters.

Also read: Martina Navratilova Doffs Her Hat to Venus Williams for Silencing Critics at the Washington Open