Coach Jannik Sinner fired in 2024 speaks out as Umberto Ferrara rejoins his team, ‘it hurts too much’

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Jannik Sinner’s tumultuous 2025 season took another turn recently as he made a controversial hire to his coaching team.

Following his doping scandal in 2024, Sinner fired Giacomo Naldi and Umberto Ferrara, two fitness coaches who played a role in the Clostebol contamination.

The pair were replaced with Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio, two highly respected coaches who had previously spent time working with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

However, to the surprise of many, Sinner split with Panichi and Badio before Wimbledon, leaving a vacancy within his team.

Filling that vacancy, Sinner has rehired Ferrara less than a year after his sacking in August 2024.

Having brought back one fitness coach and not the other, Naldi has now commented on Sinner’s decision.

Giacomo Naldi says it ‘hurts too much’ to comment on Jannik Sinner’s latest hire

During an interview with Repubblica, Sinner’s former fitness coach Naldi shared his thoughts.

“Here we go again. Now the nightmare begins again, like last summer,” he said.

“I have no intention of commenting. It’s a story that has made me too sad; it has damaged my image.

“When the time is right, we’ll talk about everything calmly. I don’t want to ruin this holiday, too. Right now, I just want to be left alone.

“I prefer not to comment. Maybe one day I will, but right now it hurts too much.”

Naldi is clearly still dealing with the aftermath of the incident, but what was his involvement in the case?

According to an independent tribunal report, Naldi was a likely source of the Clostebol contamination.

Timeline of the Clostebol contamination

• 12 February 2024 – Umberto Ferrara bought a spray (Trofodermin) used to treat cuts
• 3 March 2024 – Giacomo Naldi cuts his finger while reaching into his treatment bag
• 5 March 2024 – Umberto Ferrara recommends Naldi use Trofodermin to treat the cut
• 5-13 March 2024 – Giacomo Naldi uses Trofodermin every morning
• 5-13 March 2024 – Giacomo Naldi massages Jannik Sinner without gloves for 1 hour – 1 hour 30 every day
• 10 March 2024 – Giacomo Naldi applies two sprays of Trofodermin to his finger in the morning
• 10 March 2024 – Giacomo Naldi treats Jannik Sinner’s ankle (psoriasiform dermatitis) and can’t remember if he washed his hands before the treatment
• 10 March 2024 – Jannik Sinner provides two urine samples after his third-round win at Indian Wells, which both test positive for Clostebol
• 18 March 2024 – Jannik Sinner provides another urine sample ahead of the Miami Open, which tests positive for Clostebol
• 4 April 2024 – Jannik Sinner is notified of the positive tests

Four months later, Naldi and Ferrara were both dismissed, as Sinner looked to move on from the incident that brought his reputation into disrepute.

Whilst Sinner has rehired Ferrara, it seems unlikely Naldi will join him, as the world number one finally settles on a fitness coaching setup.

What’s next for Jannik Sinner after coaching controversy?

Ferrara will now join Sinner’s team in Monte-Carlo as the Italian finishes up preparations before heading to North America.

Sinner has withdrawn from the Canadian Open and will instead make his return in Cincinnati.

The 23-year-old won his maiden Cincinnati Open title last time out, taking down Frances Tiafoe in the final, a feat he would surely love to repeat this time around.

He’ll then head over to New York for the US Open, where he will search for his third Grand Slam title of the season.

Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have shared the three majors so far in 2025, and will no doubt be favored to complete the set at Flushing Meadows.

Only time will tell if the world number one or number two can win another Grand Slam in 2025, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action when the tournament begins.

The 2025 US Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, August 24.