Jannik Sinner’s fitness trainer believes there is a silver lining to the tennis star’s three-month ban from the Tour over two failed anti-doping tests.
Earlier this month Sinner reached a case settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) about his two violations. Last year he twice tested positive for the banned steroid clostebol but was cleared of wrongdoing by a panel of three independent experts who concluded that he had no fault. The panel accepted Sinner’s explanation that his former physio was using a spray for a cut on his hand that contained clostebol and he unintentionally contaminated him during treatment.
However, last September WADA announced that they would be appealing the panel’s finding (which was issued to the International Tennis Integrity Agency) because they felt the Italian has a degree of fault as he employs his team and is therefore partly responsible for making sure they are following correct protocol. Initially, they sought a ban of between one and two years before agreeing to a three-month ban which has divided opinion in the sport. Both the ITIA and WADA stated in their findings that they don’t believe Sinner intentionally took a banned substance to enhance his performance.
Speaking publically about the ban for the first time, Sinner’s fitness coach Marco Panichi told Sky Sport Italy that he intends to use the time to improve small areas of his game.
“The fact that we have so much time is almost like planning for a track and field season,” said Panchni.
“In such a long period of time, we can definitely go more deeply into features and conditions that we want to improve. We are talking about small things because these ‘Formula 1 machines’ are already highly evolved, but the fact remains that still from a motivational point of view it is an important boost to know that we can devote so much time to certain things.
“It’s going to be a new experience, and I’m grateful, although I don’t want such a situation, that I can have all this time on my hands.”
Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio joined forces with the world No.1 last September ahead of the Asian Swing. Both of them are former members of Novak Djokovic’s team with Panichi being with the Serbian for seven years between 2017 and 2024.
According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Sinner is training at the Roquebrune Country Club near Monte Carlo which is a private facility he is allowed to use during his Tour suspension. However, when the Monte Carlo Masters get underway next month, he could potentially move camp to Marbella in Spain.
The 23-year-old is yet to speak with the media about his suspension from the Tour. However, on Tuesday evening he was front row at Gucci’s 2025 Fall/Winter fashion show in Milan. He sat alongside the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Global, Anna Wintour.
According to the terms of his ban, Sinner is allowed to resume official training activity from April 13th and will be allowed to play on the Tour again from May 5th, which is in time for the Italian Masters.
