Sep 17 (Askume) – World number one Jannik Sinner has hired strength coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio to his squad after the two members were sacked in March after failing two drug tests in a bid to avoid doping bans .
The Italian confirmed the appointment on social media on Monday, citing his extensive experience working with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
Sinner’s physical therapist, Giacomo Naldi, had applied an over-the-counter spray to a cut on her hand before treating her for the steroid Clostebol, which tested positive for clostebol, a steroid used to build muscle.
This spray was given to Nardi by coach Umberto Ferrara.
Sinner had two players eliminated last month before winning the 2024 US Open and two Grand Slam trophies ahead of a stunning triumph at the Australian Open.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency said an independent tribunal last month found the 23-year-old free of fault or negligence and accepted the explanation that he had been inadvertently contaminated by drugs given to him by Nardi.
WADA said it would review the decision and reserved the right to appeal.
Pjanic and Badio held their first training session with Sinner at Sinner’s training centre in Monte Carlo on Monday and will join him for the Games in Beijing and Shanghai.
