ATP
Sinner defends return of controversial fitness coach
Jannik Sinner on Thursday defended his July re-hiring of physical trainer Umberto Ferrara, saying the experienced trainer “knows my body.”
The Italian fitness specialist was sacked almost a year ago for being partly responsible for a positive Sinner test for banned substance Clostebol which resulted in a three-month suspension served earlier this season by the player who turns 24 on Saturday.
Sinner added more detail to last month’s surprise move after crashing into the Cincinnati Masters semi-finals with the loss of just two games against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Before Wimbledon he made some unexplained team changes, sacking his fitness trainer, Marco Panichi, and physiotherapist, Ulises Badio. Ferrera then made his return a few weeks later.
“It’s a different situation,” the world no. 1 explained Thursday. “I needed someone who knows my body a bit more.
“(Umberto and I) worked together for two years. His work gave me a lot of benefits.”
Sinner added: “He knew every department of my body, my mobility, my stability.
He did a great job.I always felt good with Umberto.”