In the lead-up to Wimbledon, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner made a bold move by reshuffling his inner circle — letting go of long-time coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio. The decision, which raised eyebrows across the tennis world, came just weeks before the Italian clinched his first Wimbledon title by defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
Since the split, Sinner has brought back a familiar face — former fitness coach Umberto Ferrara — marking a quiet but significant return to a trusted partnership.
At the time, Sinner brushed off the staff changes as routine, stating there was “no major reason” behind the exits. But new reporting from Corriere della Sera paints a more complex picture. According to the outlet, Sinner had become uneasy with Panichi’s conduct, particularly off the court.
A major flashpoint appears to have been a breach of confidentiality. Panichi allegedly disclosed sensitive details to the media — including Sinner’s emotional response after a painful loss to Alcaraz at Roland Garros, where he squandered three match points. Panichi told reporters that Sinner had broken down in tears for 15 minutes and felt overshadowed by the crowd’s support for Alcaraz.
Both Panichi and Badio, known for their previous work with Novak Djokovic, were reportedly on thin ice even before their departure. Sources say Panichi often went against team protocol, especially rules prohibiting unauthorized statements to the press.
While Sinner tried to keep things diplomatic during Wimbledon, later remarks hinted at deeper issues. “Trust is key for any team,” he said. “When you spend so much time together, communication becomes everything. You need to believe in the people around you.”
Ferrara’s return comes after he previously exited the team amid controversy surrounding Sinner’s two failed drug tests last year. It was eventually determined that the results stemmed from cross-contamination — Sinner’s former physio, Giacomo Naldi, had used a clostebol-containing spray to treat a cut, then unintentionally passed traces of the banned substance during a massage. Ferrara, who had sourced the spray, was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Now, with a Grand Slam win and a revamped team, Sinner seems to have turned a page — ready to build on his momentum with people he trusts by his side.
