Sinner's Ex-trainer Blames Physio For Doping Scandal

Umberto Ferrara, former physical trainer of tennis world number one Jannik Sinner, has distanced himself from any wrongdoing in the doping case that led to the three-time Grand Slam champion's three-month suspension.

Ferrara, speaking publicly for the first time since the scandal emerged, placed the blame on Sinner's ex-physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi. Both Ferrara and Naldi have been dismissed from Sinner's team following the incident.

Sinner accepted a three-month suspension in February after reaching an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA, acknowledging partial responsibility for the errors made by his team. WADA concluded that the Italian player had unknowingly come into contact with the banned substance clostebol due to contamination from Naldi.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport , Ferrara explained that he had been prescribed clostebol spray for a medical condition and had used it himself for years while ensuring it was securely stored.

He admitted that he suggested Naldi use the spray for a slow-healing cut but stressed that he had explicitly warned the physiotherapist about the substance's banned status.