"Destroying people and reputation"- Jannik Sinner's ex-physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, involved in failed drug test, breaks silence; condemns backlash

Jannik Sinner’s ex-physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, has broken his silence in light of the Italian’s failed drug tests. Naldi, who recently had to end his partnership with Sinner, reminisced on their time together and condemned the online backlash faced by the tennis player and his team.

Jannik Sinner was recently “cleared of any wrongdoing” after “one billionth of a gram” of Clostebol (an anabolic steroid) was found during two of his tests at Indian Wells. After thorough investigation, an independent tribunal ruled that the banned substance entered the World No. 1’s system when his physiotherapist, Naldi, gave him bare-handed routine massages while he was injured.

According to the evidence provided, Naldi used a healing spray (which contained Clostebol) on his own injured finger, which was then transferred to Jannik Sinner during these massages. Moreover, it was established that the minuscule traces found in the player’s sample did not have any performance-enhancing effect.

Despite being declared “innocent,” though, Jannik Sinner and his team faced severe backlash. With Sinner apparently escaping a ban due to the swift handling of his case and proven innocence, several tennis fans and a few players accused the governing bodies of "preferential treatment." It should be noted that Sinner recently addressed the media at the US Open, where he explained how the whole situation unfolded, saying that every player has to go through the same process.

In that regard, Giacomo Naldi recently broke social media silence and wrote:

"It is true that there are two paths to justice: the real one sanctioned by the Courts and the one (unfortunately more effective) sanctioned by the media. The latter is too often superficial and rarely based on concrete facts, which in this case, moreover, are public," Naldi wrote on Instagram.

"As a spectator I have always wondered what the objective of spectacular legal cases, if not to judge, create or destroy people and their reputations. Today that I have confirmed that I am the star of it!" he added.

"Good luck for a great career Jannik Sinner, you are a champion" – Ex-physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi

Jannik Sinner pictured with Giacomo Naldi (extreme left) and his team at the 2024 Australian Open - Source: Getty

During the US Open press conference, Jannik Sinner also confirmed his split from Giacomo Naldi and fitness coach Umberto Ferrara, who was said to have offered Naldi the spray to heal his injured finger. The World No. 1, however, was grateful for the duo’s contribution before the mishap.

Giacomo Naldi, too, reminisced on his time with Jannik Sinner.

"A year and a half ago I joined a fantastic work group, made up of good people, great professionals, travel companions. With them I experienced moments of joy and pain, shared emotions, savored victories and defeats. With the people of this group, I created a strong bond, but above all I was able to achieve historic goals, which took us into the history of Italian tennis," he wrote on Instagram.

"I am proud to have been part of this great team, aware of having given my best, of having been 100% professional but also of having given more, because when you put your heart into it, it is certain that you give more. It hurts to think of not being part of it anymore, it's hard not to be in the stands with you and cheering for Jannik, but I'll have to get used to it quickly," he added.

The physiotherapist thanked the entire team, including Sinner’s coaches, Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill, for a “beautiful journey.”

"Thanks Vagno, Darren, Umbe, Cipo, it was a beautiful journey, an unforgettable story," he said. "Thanks also to Alex, Joseph, Larry Pierre, Ruben and all the important people from the team."

Naldi wished Jannik Sinner a successful career, calling him a “champion.”

"Good luck for a great career Jannik, you are a champion. 'Keep hunting'!" he said, adding a ‘fox’ emoji, referencing his nickname.

Amid the backlash, Sinner also received immense support from several colleagues and tennis fans alike.

"Finally, thank you to all people who haven’t judged superficially these days," Naldi added.

Jannik Sinner is accompanied by his two coaches, Cahill and Vagnozzi, at the 2024 US Open. The 23-year-old, who is chasing his second Grand Slam title after the Australian Open, will open his campaign against Mackenzie McDonald on Tuesday, August 27.