"This mistake almost cost Jannik Sinner's career" - Fans shocked by Matteo Berrettini reportedly hiring Italian's ex-fitness coach despite doping saga

Matteo Berrettini is set to hire Umberto Ferrara, the former trainer of Jannik Sinner, according to reports in Italy. Fans were shocked by the decision as Ferrara and Sinner had split due to the trainer's involvement in Sinner's doping scandal.

The World No. 1's doping scandal rocked the tennis world when it came to light in August. Sinner had tested positive twice for an illegal substance called Clostebol but avoided punishment as his immediate appeals were successful.

It was revealed that Sinner's trainer Giacomo Naldi was treating a cut on his own finger with a medication that contained the substance. Naldi unintentionally contaminated Sinner with Clostebol which led to his positive tests.

Ferrara was also one of the Italian's fitness trainers at the time. However, after the doping scandal was made public, Sinner parted ways with both Naldi and Ferrara.

Recent reports in Italy suggest that World No. 35 Berrettini is set to employ Ferrara. The former World No. 6 recently split with his coach Francisco Roig and is on a mission to make his way back to the top of the ATP Tour with fresh faces in his team. Fans, however, were not pleased with the reports.

"Matteo is this really a good idea 😭? the doping case pretty much permanently damaged jannik’s reputation and there’s still a possibility he could be banned. to this day i question why umberto had the spray in the first place…. this mistake almost cost jannik’s career….." one fan wrote.

Several fans questioned the decision claiming something was wrong with Berrettini.

"Like what??? Berrettini, did you hit your head?!" one fan wrote.

"… matteo please," another fan wrote.

"damn the brain eating bacteria would starve in matteo’s brain ig," a third fan wrote.

"this has completely thrown me for a loop what the f**k is going on," yet another fan commented.

One fan suggested that the minimal amount of Clostebol found in Jannik Sinner's system would not help Matteo Berrettini's performance. They wrote:

"brother the 0.00000000001 grams will not improve ur performance i promise there are other options."

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"Jannik Sinner is innocent and it was all a mistake" - Matteo Berrettini on compatriot's failed doping tests

Matteo Berrettini and Jannik Sinner at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals Group Stage (Image: Getty)

In August, soon after Jannik Sinner's doping scandal was made public, Matteo Berrettini was asked about it in a conversation with Sky Sports. Berrettini defended his 23-year-old compatriot talking about his difficulties and claiming he was innocent.

"It has been very tough months for him; it's impressive to see how he's managing everything. I saw less joy in his eyes the last few times we talked. We spoke in the locker room, and just by looking into each other's eyes, I could understand the enormous difficulty of being in his position," Matteo Berrettini said (translated from Italian).

"No one would want to be there right now. I have known him for many years, and I am convinced that he is innocent and it was all a mistake," he added.

Notably, Jannik Sinner received a no-guilt verdict from the ITIA but it has been challenged by the WADA, seeking a two-year ban on the World No. 1. Currently, the case is being handled by CAS.