World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has made significant changes to his support team by hiring fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio. This decision follows the dismissal of two staff members after Sinner narrowly avoided a doping ban despite testing positive for clostebol, a steroid, in March. The new hires bring extensive experience, having previously worked with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
Sinner's positive test occurred after his then-physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi used an over-the-counter spray on himself before administering treatments to Sinner. This spray, provided by trainer Umberto Ferrara, was later found to contain the banned substance. Both Naldi and Ferrara were dismissed from Sinner’s team last month.
Despite the controversy, Sinner went on to win the US Open, adding to his earlier Australian Open victory in 2024. An independent tribunal cleared Sinner of fault, concluding that the contamination was inadvertent. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency has indicated that it will review the tribunal's decision and may appeal.
Panichi and Badio began working with Sinner this week at his training base in Monte Carlo and are set to accompany him to upcoming tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai. Their appointments mark a new chapter in Sinner’s career as he continues to navigate the aftermath of the doping issue.
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