Umberto Ferrara Breaks Silence on Jannik Sinner’s Doping Case
Despite his dominant run in 2024, which saw him rise to world No. 1, Jannik Sinner faced immense stress due to a doping scandal that surfaced in March last year.
The Italian star tested positive for clostebol twice during the 2024 Indian Wells Masters 1000, launching a legal battle that lasted nearly a year. Though initially cleared of all charges, WADA appealed the acquittal, putting Sinner at risk of a one- to two-year ban before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
To avoid a lengthy suspension that could have derailed his career, the three-time Grand Slam champion—on the advice of his legal team—accepted a three-month ban in February as part of a settlement with WADA.
Ferrara Speaks on Sinner’s Doping Case
Sinner’s suspension began on February 9 and will end on May 4, just before the Rome Masters 1000. Following his homecoming in Rome, Sinner will also play in the Hamburg ATP before heading to Roland Garros.
The doping case forced major changes in his team. Both his fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, and physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, were dismissed, with Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio stepping in as replacements.
Now, for the first time, Ferrara has spoken publicly about the situation in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport:
“This case has seriously damaged my reputation, so I chose to remain silent until it was resolved.”
Ferrara admitted to using Trofodermin (a clostebol-containing cream) for a chronic condition, but strongly denied any direct involvement in Sinner’s positive test:
“I never gave that drug to Naldi. I only suggested he use it for a cut on his finger and warned him about its nature.”
Ferrara further emphasized that he was unaware Naldi had treated Sinner without gloves, despite his explicit warnings.
With Sinner’s ban nearing its end, the world No. 1 will soon turn his focus back to tennis, aiming to reclaim his Grand Slam dominance in 2025.
