"If Jannik Sinner didn't dope, why fire them?" - Fans react to reports of Italian cutting ties with physio responsible for drugs controversy

According to recent reports, Jannik Sinner has parted ways with his physio Giacomo Naldi who allegedly inadvertently contaminated him with a banned substance. Fans had mixed reactions to the reports as some questioned the decision considering the Italian was proven 'innocent' while some felt it had to be done.

Sinner tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug called clostebol twice in March during the event at Indian Wells. His provisional suspension on both occasions did not last long as his immediate appeals were accepted.

The news was made public recently after an independent tribunal investigated the matter and did not find the Italian at fault. Sinner claimed he was contaminated by his physio Naldi as the latter was using an over-the-counter cream to treat his own wounds while also treating the World No. 1.

However, days after the development was made public, reports in Italy suggest Sinner has parted ways with Naldi and trainer Umberto Ferrara.

Some fans questioned the decision to part ways. One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

"If his trainer and his physiotherapist were all innocent, and he didn't dope, then why fire them?"

"Why only now? The alleged contamination happened in March," another fan noted.

"Lmao. Doper trying to save face now," another fan wrote.

"Would they have been fired had the doping scandal not gone public 5 months after the events? Probably not," another fan opined.

Some fans felt that the termination was justified due to the gravity of the mistake.

"Sad because we know about Jannik Sinner's relationship with his team, but it's better to fire them anyway, there's no way to undo a mistake like that, it almost cost jannik his career," one fan wrote.

"They seem friends, a real family, sad to see them go but some mistakes cannot be tolerated," another fan wrote.

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Jannik Sinner faces Mackenzie McDonald in the US Open 2024 1R

Jannik Sinner (L) and Frances Tiafoe with their Cincinnati Open 2024 trophies. (Image: Getty)

Jannik Sinner won the 2024 Cincinnati Open title, but his triumph was overshadowed by the news of his failed drug tests which sent shockwaves through the tennis world. Despite this, the Italian faces an even bigger challenge as he begins his 2024 US Open campaign on Tuesday, August 27.

The top seed will take on Mackenzie McDonald in the first round. It will be the fourth encounter between the pair with the Italian leading the head-to-head record 3-0. Their most recent encounter was at the Paris Masters last year which the World No. 1 won 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-1.