Jannik Sinner Parts Ways with Caregivers Following Positive Doping Test Results
In the aftermath of his acquittal following two doping violations prior to the US Open, talismanic tennis star Jannik Sinner has chosen to distance himself from his trainer Umberto Ferrara and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi. Sinner expressed at a press conference that the lack of faith in his team was the driving force behind this decision. He mentioned that he needed some time to breathe and recuperate from the ordeal he had gone through in recent months.
Italian sports media broke the news about Sinner's decision, with renowned tennis legend Boris Becker expressing his approval via a private channel.
Triggering the doping scandal were two positive tests in March for the prohibited anabolic steroid Clostebol. The tennis champion was provisionally suspended; however, an independent court, citing Sinner's assertion that the substance had entered his system via a massage with Clostebol-containing Trofodermin spray, ultimately ruled in his favor.
Finger Injury Leads to Contaminated Spray
Physiotherapist Naldi had suffered a finger injury and opted for Trofodermin spray to aid in recovery. The spray sourced from trainer Ferrara contained Clostebol without Sinner's knowledge. Both Naldi and Ferrara had extended their support to the player over their two-year period of collaboration.
The Sinner case has served as a notable topic of debate in this year's concluding Grand Slam tournament. Alexander Zverev, a close competitor, stated his neutrality on the issue. "I don't hold a view as I'm not privy to sufficient information," he declared at the event in New York. "Jannik is a decent individual whom I have a rapport with, and our friendship remains unaffected."
Zverev: Bewildered by the Hurry
Official bodies only divulged this information, including the acquittal and positive tests, on a Tuesday. Zverev expressed some astonishment at the swiftness of the revelations. "The sole strange aspect is that it unfolded within a single day." The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has vowed to scrutinize the verdict closely and reserves the option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne if necessary.
As the top-seeded player, Sinner begins his campaign in the US Open starting Monday. He had clinched the Masters-1000 tournament and triumphed over Zverev in the semifinals on his path to victory.
Despite the acquittal, Jannik Sinner's doping scandal continues to raise questions about the use of performance-enhancing substances in tennis. The incident involving the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol, which was traced back to a contaminated Trofodermin spray used by Sinner's physiotherapist, has led to increased scrutiny of athletes' support teams.
