World number one Jannik Sinner has made significant changes to his coaching team, including reuniting with former fitness coach Umberto Ferrara, after parting ways with Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio ahead of Wimbledon. The move comes amid speculation of internal rifts, particularly over Panichi's leak of sensitive team information.
Before Wimbledon, Sinner abruptly ended his contract with fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio. Although he went on to win a Grand Slam on grass, the reasons behind the split have come under the spotlight.
Sinner has terminated contracts with two coaches ahead of Wimbledon (Photo: Getty).
Initially, Sinner claimed that there was no specific reason for the end of the cooperation. However, according to Corriere della Sera , the Italian tennis player was said to be unhappy with some of Panichi's decisions, especially the coach's disclosure of inside information in interviews.
For example, after the Roland Garros final, where Sinner lost to Carlos Alcaraz despite having three championship points, Panichi revealed that the world No. 1 cried for 15 minutes in the locker room, upset by the public's apparent support for Alcaraz. This was said to be a violation of the team's rule that coaches are only allowed to speak in public with permission.
During his nine-month partnership with Sinner, Panichi was said to have “talked too much.” Meanwhile, Badio was seen as the “secondary victim” in the breakup, as he and Panichi came together as a team. Both were previously members of Novak Djokovic’s team.
Despite the speculation, Sinner has dismissed suggestions that there was any underlying reason for the split. Appearing at Wimbledon without Panichi or Badio, he said: "No, there's no big deal. We split up a while ago, but that doesn't affect me. I feel ready to play. I feel free. I feel myself and my team are ready to do the best they can."
"We've had some incredible results with them in the past, so obviously a lot of credit to them," he added. "We've done really well, but I decided to do something different. Like I said, nothing concrete. Nothing crazy. It's definitely not like the rumours."
However, Sinner also hinted at the importance of trust in his new team when explaining what he wants from a new fitness trainer and physiotherapist. "I'll also be looking for people who fit well with the other members of the team. Communication is so important for the team to work, you have to trust each other. We spend a lot of time together throughout the year, it's important to find the right people," he shared.
Sinner unexpectedly rehired Ferrara (Photo: Getty).
The 23-year-old has now rehired Umberto Ferrara, his former fitness coach. Ferrara left the team following an investigation into Sinner's two failed doping tests last year. Sinner testified that he was exposed to a banned substance after his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, used a spray containing the banned substance clostebol after cutting his finger. Ferrara bought the spray and gave it to Naldi, who then massaged Sinner without wearing gloves.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/sinner-bat-ngo-thue-lai-huan-luyen-vien-khien-anh-dinh-doping-20250801094425250.htm
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