&w=3840&q=100)
Jannik Sinner brings back fitness coach and physiotherapist who played a role in doping ban
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has decided to bring back his former fitness coach Umberto Ferrara, almost a year after they parted ways due to the fallout from Sinner's positive tests for a banned substance.
Ferrara and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi left Sinner's team last August, five months after the Italian tested positive for clostebol. They played a role in the incident, which resulted in Sinner firing both.
Sinner was cleared of intentional wrongdoing by an independent tribunal but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
After that, Sinner accepted a three-month ban following a settlement with WADA, which was negotiated by his lawyers. WADA said the doping incident happened due to negligence and not deliberate cheating.
Sinner had explained that the banned substance entered his system when Naldi applied a spray to treat a cut on his hand. Ferrara later admitted he had given the spray to Naldi for personal use and specifically told him not to use it on Sinner.
After Ferrara and Naldi left, Sinner brought in fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio in September. But he split with them before Wimbledon this year.
Sinner's team explains decision to rehire sacked coach
Now, Sinner has reappointed Ferrara and Naldi in a bid to focus on continuity. 'Umberto has played an important role in Jannik's development to date, and his return reflects a renewed focus on continuity and performance at the highest level,' Sinner's team said in a statement Wednesday, July 23.
The move comes as Sinner is preparing for upcoming tournaments, including the Cincinnati Open and the US Open.
Sinner has had an eventful comeback season. He returned to action at the Italian Open in May, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. He then lost a thriller to Alcaraz in the French Open final. However, Sinner avenged his defeats by beating Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final to claim his fourth Grand Slam title.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Leylah Fernandez Dominates Anna Kalinskaya To Win Citi Open
Last Updated: Leylah Fernandez wins WTA DC Open, beating Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets for her first WTA 500 title in two years. Star Canadian tennis player Leylah Fernandez delivered a commanding performance to beat Russia's Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets and win the WTA Tour's DC Open in Washington on Sunday, July 27. Fernandez bagged her first WTA 500 win and her first title in two years, winning 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour. The victory over Kalinskaya capped a fairytale week for Fernandez, the 2021 US Open finalist, who had beaten top seed Jessica Pegula and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on her way to claiming the fourth title of her career. Fernandez mentioned that her confidence grew throughout the tournament. 'At the beginning of the tournament, there was still a lot of doubt, but as the tournament progressed, I started to play better," Fernandez said. 'I have faced many challenges this week. I think it has made me stronger, knowing that if I can get through this week — with the cramps, long matches, heat, and humidity — I can overcome anything." Fernandez started strongly, dominating Kalinskaya's serve to take the opening set in just 30 minutes. After three holds left Fernandez 2-1 up, the breakthrough came in the fourth game with Kalinskaya's serve looking increasingly fragile. The Russian faced trouble at 15-40 down and double-faulted to give Fernandez the break and a 3-1 lead. Fernandez had no such difficulty on serve and held comfortably for a 4-1 lead before attacking Kalinskaya's serve in the sixth game. The Canadian held two break points at 15-40 and converted the second for a 5-1 lead, hitting a backhand return that left Kalinskaya rooted to the spot. A delicate drop shot at the net secured Fernandez the set in the next game. The second set resembled the first, with Fernandez grabbing an early break to take the initiative at 2-1 before breaking again soon after for a 4-1 lead. The next two games went with serve, but Fernandez made no mistake when serving for the match, converting the second of two match points. Fernandez will head to Canada for this week's WTA 1000 Canadian Open in Montreal, where she anticipates a tougher challenge. 'Montreal is a whole different monster," she said. 'It's a bigger draw, a longer tournament. It's going to start from zero." (With AFP Inputs) view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 08:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Monfils upset in Toronto Masters
Gael Monfils missed squandered four match points in blistering heat before exiting in the first round of the ATP Toronto Masters on Sunday, losing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 to qualifier Tomas Barrios Vera. Monfils upset in Toronto Masters French showman Monfils had his four winning chances in a pair of third-set service games against the Chilean who won his first match at Masters level while ending a seven-match losing streak dating to late February. The pair both struggled in 35 Celsius summer temperatures, with number 142 Barrios Vera winning after nearly three hours on court. Monfils struck a record 15 double-faults, the most ever recorded by the 38-year-old in a best-of-three match. Barrios Vera moved into a second-round match against American Alex Michelsen. "I don't know how I saved so many match points," the 27-year-old winner said. "It was super-close, super-tight. "I tried to fight for every point, tried to serve well. "This victory is very important for my confidence playing this type of event." Monfils, who also lost in the Canadian first round a year ago, rallied from a set and a break down as he competed for the 14th time in Canada but was unable to get over the line for victory. He broke the Chilean twice in the second set to level the match but came undone in the third. The 2016 and 2019 semi-finalist, struggling with the heat as early as the third game of the afternoon, got back into contention as Barrios Vera double-faulted and lost his second-set momentum. The Frenchman leaned heavily on his racquet between points as he looked to be struggling with his fitness as he tried in vain to close out the win. He ended with 30 winners and 47 unforced errors while Barrios Vera had nearly 60 unforced errors in victory. Elsewhere on opening day Reilly Opelka of the United States defeated Austrian Stefan Ofner 7-6 , 7-5 while France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard advanced past Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki 6-4, 6-2. Learner Tien beat American compatriot Colton Smith 6-4, 7-5. The Masters field is missing four of the ranking top 10, including No. 1 Jannik Sinner and second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, both due to various injuries. The event - now controversially expanded to just under a fortnight - began two weeks after the Wimbledon final won by Sinner over Alcaraz. Third-ranked Alexander Zverev takes the top seeding, with the German struggling recently with both his tennis and his mental health following a Wimbledon first-round loss. str/rcw This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Cycling-Peerless Pogacar claims fourth Tour title, Van Aert wins brutal final stage
By Julien Pretot HT Image PARIS (Reuters) - Tadej Pogacar claimed his fourth Tour de France title on Sunday, cementing his status as the most dominant rider of his generation and moving alongside Britain's Chris Froome on the all-time winners' list. The 26-year-old Slovenian, who triumphed in 2020, 2021 and 2024, delivered a near-flawless performance, even coming close to prevailing on a spectacular final stage on the Champs Elysees after an epic duel with Belgian Wout van Aert. "Just speechless to win a fourth Tour de France. Six years in a row on the podium and this one feels especially amazing, and I'm super proud that I can wear this yellow jersey," Pogacar, who was second in 2022 and 2023, said. Pogacar attacked relentlessly in the ascents of the Butte Montmartre but eventually suffered a brutal counterpunch from Van Aert, who went solo to win the last stage. The competitive element was largely neutralised on Sunday after organisers decided to freeze the times with about 50 kilometres left due to hazardous road conditions in driving rain. It did not prevent Pogacar from going for it, however, but Van Aert proved to be the best on the day, beating Italian Davide Ballerini and third-placed Matej Mohoric with Pogacar taking fourth place. The world champion effectively sealed his victory in the Pyrenees, with a brutal attack on the climb to Hautacam and a commanding victory in the uphill individual time trial, leaving chief rival Jonas Vingegaard more than four minutes behind. Twice champion Vingegaard of Denmark ended up 4:24 off the pace in Paris. LIPOWITZ THIRD German Florian Lipowitz finished third, 11:00 behind Pogacar, on his Tour debut and won the white jersey for the best Under-25 rider. "This was one of the hardest Tours I've ever been in," Pogacar said. The celebrations turned tense on Sunday when the final stage featured three climbs up Montmartre. Times had been neutralised some 50km from the finish due to slippery roads, but a fierce fight for the stage win still unfolded. Pogacar equalled Froome (2013, 2015–17) and now only trails cycling greats Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil and Miguel Indurain, who share the record with five titles. Pogacar also secured the polka-dot jersey for the mountains classification, underlining his all-round dominance, while Italy's Jonathan Milan clinched the green jersey for the points competition. For Ineos Grenadiers, the once all-conquering team that ruled the 2010s with victories by Bradley Wiggins, Froome and Geraint Thomas, there was little to celebrate beyond two stage wins by Thymen Arensman. Thomas, a former champion, rode his last Tour in virtual anonymity, as the British team continues to face questions amid doping allegations reported in recent weeks. As tradition dictates, riders entered Paris in celebratory mood, but the finale proved anything but routine with the Montmartre climbs spicing up the closing laps. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; editing by Pritha Sarkar and Ed Osmond)
