World number one Jannik Sinner has added fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio to his staff following the dismissal of two members after he escaped a doping ban despite failing two drug tests in March.
The Italian confirmed the appointment in a social media post on Monday, with Panichi and Badio bringing vast experience after having worked with 24-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
Sinner had tested positive for the steroid clostebol, which can be used to build muscle mass, after his physio Giacomo Naldi applied an over-the-counter spray to a cut on his own hand before carrying out treatments on him.
The spray was given to Naldi by trainer Umberto Ferrara.
Sinner fired both team members last month, before winning the U.S. Open title to make it two Grand Slam trophies in 2024 following his breakthrough Australian Open triumph.
The 23-year-old was cleared of fault or negligence last month by an independent tribunal which accepted the explanation that he had inadvertently been contaminated with the drug by Naldi, the International Tennis Integrity Agency said.
The World Anti-Doping Agency had said it would review the decision and reserved the right to appeal.
The decision to clear the Italian was met with scepticism by some players in the locker room who suggested that Sinner had benefitted from preferential treatment due to his status in the sport.
“It was and it’s still on my mind. It’s not that it’s gone, but when I’m on court, I try to focus about the game, I try to handle the situation the best possible way, communication with the team, in the practice courts,” said the world number one.
“It was not easy, that’s for sure, but I tried to stay focused, with which I guess I’ve done a great job.”
Sinner admitted that the case had cast a cloud over him but he believes that fans and most players have been supportive.
“Obviously it was very difficult for me to enjoy in certain moments,” he added.
“Also how I behaved or how I walked on the court in certain tournaments before, it was not the same as I used to be, so whoever knows me better, they know that something was wrong.
“But during this tournament, slowly I restarted to feel a little bit more how I am as a person. Doesn’t really matter how or what the result was. So this tournament, for sure, helped me a little bit.”
Panichi and Badio had their first session with Sinner on Monday at his training base in Monte Carlo and will travel with him to tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai.
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