Jannik Sinner hires Novak Djokovic’s ex-fitness coach after doping test row
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Jannik Sinner hired Marco Panichi, who had worked with Fabio Fognini, Angelique Kerber and Li Na before being part of Djokovic's team from 2019 to early 2024.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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ROME – Jannik Sinner has hired Novak Djokovic’s former fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio in the wake of the world No. 1 being cleared, despite testing positive twice for a banned substance.
“Welcome to the team,” the 23-year-old wrote on social media on Sept 16, alongside a photo of himself with fellow Italian Panichi and Argentinian Badio.
The pair replace Umberto Ferrara and Giacomo Naldi respectively, whom Sinner parted ways with before his US Open triumph, after the two positive doping tests in March.
Sinner had tested positive for the steroid clostebol, which can be used to build muscle mass, after Naldi applied an over-the-counter spray to a cut on his own hand before carrying out treatment on him. The spray was given to Naldi by Ferrara.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted the explanation, leading to a furious backlash from players, including Australian Nick Kyrgios. The World Anti-Doping Agency had said it would review the decision and reserved the right to appeal.
Panichi notably worked with compatriot Fabio Fognini, German Angelique Kerber and Li Na of China, before being part of Djokovic’s team from 2019 to earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur has been forced to end her 2024 season prematurely due to a niggling shoulder injury, the three-time Grand Slam runner-up said.
The 30-year-old has slipped to 22nd in the world rankings in 2024 amid fitness struggles and pulled out of Cincinnati, Washington and the US Open with the shoulder problem, after missing the Paris Olympics due to concerns over her knee.
“This year has been extremely hard for me and as athletes, we know that recovery is part of the journey. Due to my ongoing shoulder injury, my medical team and I have made the difficult decision to step off the tennis circuit for the rest of the season,” Jabeur said on social media.
The former world No. 2 said she will dedicate her time to charitable projects while recovering and return to action in Australia in early 2025.
On the court, Emma Raducanu got her Korea Open campaign off to a winning start with a hard-fought 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) victory over American Peyton Stearns on Sept 17.
Britain’s Raducanu is looking to make an impact in Seoul after a string of last-minute withdrawals, including world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
She had to dig deep to beat her 48th-ranked opponent in steamy conditions in a match that lasted 2 hours and 43 minutes. Raducanu, ranked 70th in the world, won the 2021 US Open as a qualifier.
“I’m proud to have made it through to the next round. Thank you to everyone for sticking around and watching us. It was tough, it was very humid, the balls were bouncing around a lot,” said the 21-year-old, who is unseeded.
Her next opponent at the WTA 500 tournament will be China’s Yuan Yue, the eighth seed.
AFP, REUTERS
