Jannik Sinner has hired two of Novak Djokovic’s former coaches as the World No.1 shakes up his backroom team following his doping scandal.
Sinner stormed to his second Grand Slam triumph at the US Open earlier this month but it was a drama-filled fortnight for the Italian who escaped a doping ban on the eve of the tournament.
Despite twice testing positive for clostebol, a steroid that can be used to build muscle mass, Sinner was controversially cleared by a tribunal after it was ruled that a bare-handed massage led to ‘contamination’.
The 23-year-old was still allowed to compete while under investigation, with his favourable ruling the subject of harsh criticism from many, including Nick Kyrgios.
Sinner pleaded his innocence on several occasions and eventually fired trainer Umberto Ferrara and physio Giacomo Naldi who were involved in the sourcing and eventual contamination from the over-the-counter spray.
‘Now, because of these mistakes, I’m not feeling that confident to continue with them. The only thing I just need right now, just some clean air,’ Sinner said at the time.
‘I was struggling a lot in the last months. Now I was waiting for the result, and now I just need some clean air.’
The Italian has now replaced the two members of his team, hiring fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio who both previously worked with 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic.
In an Instagram post confirming the hires, Sinner said: ‘Welcome to the team Marco and Ulises.’
Panichi began working with Djokovic in 2017 before going his separate way in May this year when the Serbian ended his partnership with the Italian.
Badio, meanwhile, stopped working with Djokovic at the end of 2022 after more than five years together.
While both men have jumped ship to team up with the current World No.1, Jelena Djokovic joked that she would not be doing the same.
‘I won’t give up,’ the wife of Novak posted in response coupled with several laughing emojis.
Sinner is expected to be back in action next week at the ATP 500 event in Beijing.
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