PICTURE: Jannik Sinner's ex-fitness coach, embroiled in doping test controversy, makes first appearance as part of Matteo Berrettini's team

Matteo Berrettini has hired Jannik Sinner's ex-fitness coach Umberto Ferrara. He shared a picture with Ferrara at the Alicante Tennis Academy in Spain. Berrettini was last on the court at Malaga, Spain's 2024 Davis Cup Finals.

The World No. 34 was part of team Italy that lifted the trophy after defeating Netherlands, 2-0. After that, he was at the Alicante Tennis Academy for pre-season training. His compatriot and ATP player Francesco Passaro took to Instagram to share a picture of his time with the former World No. 6.

Berrettini re-shared the picture of him with his team including Ferrara and others on his Instagram story. Passaro wrote for Berrettini in the original using hammer emojis:

"Thank you for the training Matte"

Screengrab from Matteo Berrettini's Instagram story (@matberrettini)

Umberto Ferrara joined Matteo Berrettini's team in November after being sacked by Jannik Sinner's team for involvement in Sinner's doping case. Ferrara gave a spray with the banned substance Clostebol to Sinner's ex-physio Giacomo Naldi who later massaged Sinner with it bare-handed. As a result, the substance entered the World No. 1's system without his knowledge.

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Jannik Sinner added Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio to his team after ex-fitness coach joined Matteo Berrettini's team

Jannik Sinner (left) and Matteo Berrettini(right) at the 2024 Davis Cup Final. Image: Getty

Jannik Sinner hired Marco Panichi and Ulises Badio as fitness coach and physio, respectively, in September. He made the additions to his team after ex-coach Umberto Ferrara's exit who later joined Matteo Berretini's team. Despite Ferrara's involvement in Sinner's doping controversy, they amicably parted ways after his US Open triumph.

"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," Jannik Sinner said.

"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. I was struggling a lot in the last months."

Panichi and Badio began working with the reigning Australian Open and US Open champion ahead of the Asian swing of the 2024 ATP tour. Sinner won the Shanghai Masters title in October and clinched the ATP Finals trophy in November while working with the duo. Panichi and Badio have previously worked with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.