ITIA Validates the Return of Umberto Ferrara, Sinner's Physical Trainer
Umberto Ferrara, the former physical trainer of Jannik Sinner, who was dismissed last August following the world number 2's positive anti-doping test, has officially returned to the Italian prodigy's staff. And the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) states it sees no regulatory obstacle to this.
"There are no restrictions on them working in tennis," says Karen Moorhouse, CEO of the ITIA, in a statement provided to AFP.
The case dates back to March 2024. Jannik Sinner, then on a rapid rise, tested positive for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid. Quickly, responsibility was directed toward his staff. Giacomo Naldi, his physiotherapist, was accused of using a spray belonging to Ferrara during a massage, leading to unintentional contamination. Result: a negotiated three-month suspension, between February and May 2025.
Despite this episode, Sinner decided in July 2025 to reintegrate Ferrara into his team. Facing criticism, the ITIA attempts to defuse the controversy:
"In this case, no member of Sinner's entourage violated the rules," insists Karen Moorhouse. "Therefore, it is up to the players, as independent professionals, to choose their staff."
