It has been a newsworthy 2024 campaign both on and off the court for Jannik Sinner. The good news, of course, is that he won two of the four Grand Slams (Australian Open and U.S. Open) while climbing to No. 1 in the world. Bad news arrived more recently, when it came to light right before the U.S. Open that the Italian had failed a drug test five months earlier at the Indian Wells Masters.
The fallout of that positive test did not include any suspension, as Sinner was cleared of any intentional wrongdoing. In addition to losing points and prize money from Indian Wells, however, the 23-year-old parted ways with fitness coach Umberto Ferrara and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi.
On Monday, Sinner found replacements for those positions.
Joining coaches Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi on Team Sinner are fitness guru Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio. They are currently training with Sinner in Monte-Carlo and will make the trip to the Asian swing for upcoming tournaments in Beijing (an ATP 500) and Shanghai (a Masters 1000).
Both Panichi and Badio previously worked with Novak Djokovic. Panichi was part of the Serb’s camp from 2017 until May of 2024. Badio found himself on Team Djokovic for five years before leaving at the end of 2022.
Sinner making moves
Sure he does, he is just replacing the other two who he “sacked” after being handsomely paid to take a blame for him for testing positive twice and to keep quiet.
Try to imagine Rafa or Nole testing (twice) positive?!