Giacomo Naldi and Jannik Sinner pose with the 2024 Australian Open trophy. © Social Media

Sinner's ex-physio puts new player on the road to success

Giacomo Naldi, Jannik Sinner's former physiotherapist, is back on the ATP Tour. The announcement of his new collaboration with an Italian tennis player was not without some excitement.

11 May 2025

From: never

"The controversies are none of my business. Also because I don't really know what happened. I think Giacomo is a professional – and that's what counts," declared Francesco Passaro after his victory over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the round of 64 at the Masters tournament in Rome (7-5, 6-3). It's a return that couldn't have happened without causing a stir. After all, Giacomo Naldi was involved in the doping case surrounding Jannik Sinner. The positive clostebol tests were ultimately due to accidental contamination during a massage; Naldi had applied the ointment responsible to his finger after a cut he had sustained. At the end of August, Sinner parted ways with Naldi and his athletic trainer Umberto Ferrara.

Naldi will now appear alongside Passaro at the ATP Masters in Rome. Initially only for the foreseeable future, but an extension of the collaboration with the world number 101 is on the cards. "Giacomo helped me with my rehabilitation," explained Passaro. "I have to thank him because I came back in pretty good shape. As for the rest, we'll see. But I'm very motivated to continue with him." The 24-year-old was temporarily out of action due to a hip injury, but his successful return to the big stage fills him with pride. "Playing in Rome is incredible for me, and hearing the crowd chant my name is a dream I've had since I was a child," said Passaro.

Will Sinner meet his former supervisors?

If Sinner, who clinched a commanding victory over Argentinian Mariano Navone (6-3, 6-4) on Saturday evening, and Passaro were to face each other at the Masters in Rome, it would be a peculiar encounter due to the presence of Naldi. However, such a duel in the Italian capital could only take place in the final at the earliest. In the round of 32, Sinner will first face Dutch lucky loser Jesper de Jong. Passaro will face Russian Karen Khachanov.

Francesco Passaro in action. © ANSA / Fabrizio Corradetti

However, a reunion with another former coach is much more realistic. Sinner's former fitness coach Ferrara, who had recommended to Naldi the use of that fatal ointment, is now working with Matteo Berrettini. The 2021 Wimbledon finalist is a possible quarterfinal opponent for Sinner.