"Good decision" - Boris Becker supports Jannik Sinner as Italian confirms split from fitness coach and physiotherapist involved in failed drug tests

Boris Becker has supported Jannik Sinner’s decision to part ways with his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, and his fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, in light of his failed drug tests. The World No. 1 confirmed the split during his US Open 2024 press conference.

Earlier this week, Sinner announced that he was “cleared of any wrongdoing” after testing positive for a banned substance called “Clostebol” during his Indian Wells run in March. The Italian was stripped of the ranking points and prize money he earned during the tournament due to the positive result.

However, it was established that he bore “no fault or negligence” in the failed tests after the evidence provided pointed at errors on his physiotherapist and fitness coach’s part.

On Friday, August 23, three days after the news came out, Jannik Sinner addressed the media. He gave a detailed account of how everything played out while maintaining his innocence. The Italian also confirmed that he has terminated his partnership with the concerned members of the team, Giacomo Naldi and Umberto Ferrara, but acknowledged the pair’s contribution.

"I want to start with that they have been a huge part for my career. We worked together for two years. We made an incredible job, bringing a lot of success and then having a great team behind me," Sinner said in his US Open press conference.

"Now, because of these mistakes, I'm not feeling that confident to continue with them. The only thing I just need right now, just some clean air. You know, I was struggling a lot in the last months. I was waiting for the result, and now I just need some clean air," he added.

Boris Becker, who silently backed Jannik Sinner amid the online backlash, publicly extended his support on Friday, opining that the World No. 1 made the right decision by parting ways with the two team members.

"Good decision from Jannik !" Becker wrote on X.

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"It has been a very tough moment for me and my team" – Jannik Sinner on his positive doping tests

Jannik Sinner pictured during his 2024 US Open press conference - Source: Getty

After testing positive for miniscule traces of Clostebol, Jannik Sinner faced two brief suspensions in April, both of which were successfully appealed immediately, and evidence was provided in that regard. While a few players accused the governing bodies of preferential treatment, the 23-year-old cleared the air by explaining how his team’s expeditiousness in handling the case proved crucial, allowing him to continue playing.

Sinner also emphasized that his clear conscience was key during the past five months.

"I always believe that I kept playing tennis because in my mind I knew that I haven't done anything wrong. I knew that I was very clean, and I knew that I was always very looking forward to be a fair player," he said in the aforementioned press conference.

Speaking about whether he is worried about the controversy impacting his reputation despite the innocent verdict, Jannik Sinner said:

"It might change a couple of things, but whoever knows me very well knows that I haven't done and I would never do something what goes against the rules. Obviously it has been a very tough moment for me and my team. It still is, because it's quite, you know, fresh, this everything."

"Let’s see. Here I (will) also know who is my friend and who is not my friend, no, because my friends, they know that I would never do that, and sticking together," the World No. 1 added. "About the reputation, we will see now, now moving forward, no? Because this, I can't really control."

Jannik Sinner is chasing his second Grand Slam and sixth title of the season at the 2024 US Open. The top seed is entering the tournament after his triumph in Cincinnati. He begins his campaign on Tuesday, August 27, against Mackenzie McDonald.