Jannik Sinner’s fired coach hired by ATP star despite doping controversy
Jannik Sinner’s fired coach hired by ATP star despite doping controversy
Pictured: Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini.
Jannik Sinner and Matteo Berrettini.
Jannik Sinner’s former fitness coach is set to work with Matteo Berrettini just months after leaving the world No 1’s entourage in the wake of his doping controversy.
Umberto Ferrera, alongside physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, departed Sinner’s team after it emerged that the world No 1 had twice tested positive for banned substance clostebol in March 2024.
Sinner was initially found to be of “no fault or negligence” by the International Tennis Integrity Association, with their ruling on the case released in August
The ITIA accepted the Italian’s explanation that he had inadvertently been contaminated by Naldi, who had used a skin cream – purchased by Ferrera – containing clostebol on a cut before massaging Sinner.
The case was not made public until the ruling was announced, and both Ferrera and Naldi were dropped by the two-time Grand Slam winner in the aftermath of the decision.
“We worked together for two years. We made an incredible job, bringing a lot of success and then having a great team behind me,” he said ahead of his US Open campaign.
“Now, because of these mistakes, I’m not feeling that confident to continue with them. The only thing I need right now [is] some clean air.”
Sinner’s case is currently the subject of a World Anti-Doping Agency appeal, though fitness coach Ferrera appears to have now moved on to work with Berrettini ahead of the 2025 season.
Former world No 6 and 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Berrettini announced that he had split with coach Francisco Roig last month, following a one-year partnership.
Berrettini won three ATP Tour titles in 2024 and reached a further final, though is still down at 35th in the rankings amid ongoing injury struggles.
The 28-year-old missed both the Australian Open and French Open due to injury and lost in the second round of Wimbledon – to Sinner – and at the same stage of the US Open to Taylor Fritz.
The Italian will likely hope that working with Ferrera, alongside any new editions he makes to his coaching entourage in the off-season, help him surge back towards the very top of the game in 2025.
Amid a mixed locker room reaction to Sinner’s case, Berrettini has been among the 23-year-old’s biggest supporters.
Speaking at the US Open back in August, Berrettini provided a staunch defence of his compatriot.
“I complimented him [in the locker room]. No one would want to be in his shoes, but I know him well and I’m sure it was a mistake,” said the former world No 6.
“I saw something different in his eyes, maybe less joy than usual. When it all came out, I understood what was going on. It’s impressive how he handled the situation, he got great results despite everything
“We talked in the locker room, just by looking into each other’s eyes, we understood how difficult it was to handle this situation.”
