U.S. Open champion Jannik Sinner has introduced two new members to his team following a doping case that led to the dismissal of his previous staff. Marco Panichi has been appointed as Sinner’s fitness coach, while Ulises Badio takes over as his physiotherapist. Both Panichi and Badio previously worked with Novak Djokovic.
Sinner continues to collaborate with his osteopath, Andrea Cipolla. In an Instagram post featuring a photo with his new team members, Sinner wrote, “Welcome to the team Marco and Ulises.”
Earlier this year, Sinner tested positive for steroids twice in March, though he was not suspended. It was determined that the banned substance, Clostebol, had entered his system unintentionally during a massage by his former physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi. Sinner explained that his former fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, had given Naldi a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on Naldi’s finger, and Naldi subsequently massaged Sinner without wearing gloves.
This doping case remained undisclosed until it was publicly revealed, with Sinner still going on to win the U.S. Open, defeating Taylor Fritz in the final. Prior to the tournament, Sinner had already dismissed Naldi and Ferrara from his team.
Panichi and Badio have since begun working with Sinner in Monaco and will accompany him to upcoming tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai.