Jannik Sinner\u2019s ban for his failed doping tests turned into \u201cthe best moments of my professional life\u201d for Marco Panichi with the player\u2019s former fitness trainer saying the work they put in off court was the highlight of his career.<\/p>\n
The tennis world was rocked in August 2024 when it emerged that then world No 1 Sinner twice tested positive for the banned substance clostebol<\/a> in March, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and was allowed to continue playing.<\/p>\n However, the Italian parted ways with his fitness coach Umberto Ferrara and physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi<\/a> after it was found that the substance entered his system during massages from his physio.<\/p>\n Naldi had used a product \u2013 that was given to him by Ferrara \u2013 that contained clostebol to treat a cut on his own finger.<\/p>\n The pair were replaced by Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio, who both worked with the great Novak Djokovic in the past.<\/p>\n But that was not the end of the doping saga as the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed against the decision not to ban Sinner and, after lengthy negotiations, it was announced in February 2025 that they entered a \u201ccase resolution agreement\u201d<\/a> with the player\u2019s legal team.<\/p>\n Sinner then served a three-month ban and returned in May at the Italian Open, but there were no signs of rust as he finished runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz in Rome and also went on to lose the French Open final against the Spaniard.<\/p>\n In an interview with La Repubblica, Panichi opened up about \u201cone of the best moments\u201d, stating: \u201cAn important premise: I can\u2019t talk about my relationship with Jannik, for contractual reasons.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t name names. I\u2019ll say that in general, certain \u2018improvisations\u2019 can help some athletes learn to manage their emotions.<\/p>\n \u201cOne thing I think I can say: the three months of his suspension were one of the best moments of my professional life. We worked hard, always having fun and exchanging many things with great respect.\u201d<\/p>\n Tennis365 Features<\/p>\n Predicting every Grand Slam singles champion of 2026: Sinner & Alcaraz dominant, Sabalenka & Swiatek success<\/a><\/p>\n