Fallout from Sinner Split: Coach Admits to Using Banned Substance

The tennis world continues to buzz following Jannik Sinner‘s meteoric rise to the top, but recent revelations concerning his former fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, have cast a shadow over his success. In an interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport, Ferrara admitted to using a spray containing clostebol, an anabolic steroid, for years. This admission comes months after Sinner parted ways with ferrara and physiotherapist Giacomo naldi in August.

I have been using it for years as he was prescribed to me as a supportive medication for a chronic illness.
Umberto Ferrara, former fitness coach of Jannik Sinner

Ferrara, who now works with Matteo Berrettini, claims the spray was prescribed to him for a chronic condition. He further stated he was aware of the substance’s prohibited status and took precautions to conceal it.

The Timeline: From recommendation to Separation

According to Ferrara, physiotherapist giacomo Naldi initially recommended the spray to treat a cut. Ferrara emphasized his awareness of the spray’s contents,stating he kept it carefully stored. The separation between Sinner and his former team occurred in August, though the reasons for the split were not explicitly stated at the time. This revelation adds a new layer of complexity to the situation.

sinner’s Outlook: finding Positives Amidst Forced Break

Despite the controversy surrounding his former coach, Jannik Sinner remains at the pinnacle of men’s tennis, currently holding the world number one ranking. His Australian Open victory propelled him to the top of the annual rankings. Even with a two-month hiatus from competition, Sinner maintains a positive outlook.

I feel very well, I rested and am happy. I did a lot of different things.
Jannik Sinner, in a Sky interview

In a recent interview with Sky, Sinner highlighted the benefits of his unexpected break, mentioning rest and engaging in diverse activities, including skiing in his native South Tyrol.Sinner’s current break extends until May 4th, with training permitted to resume from April 13th, allowing him to prepare for the upcoming Roland Garros tournament.His ability to maintain focus amidst external distractions will be crucial as he aims to solidify his position at the top of the sport.

Prize Money and the Pursuit of Greatness

While the doping allegations surrounding Ferrara are important, the focus for Sinner remains on his performance and legacy. The pursuit of Grand Slam titles and the accumulation of prize money are key indicators of success in professional tennis.as of today, Novak Djokovic leads the all-time prize money list with over $180 million, followed by Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Sinner, still early in his career, has the potential to climb these rankings and etch his name among the tennis greats.