World number one Jannik Sinner has
sacked the two members of his physical preparation staff he
blames for an illegal steroid he tested positive for twice in
March but was spared a ban due to its inadvertent application in
a massage cream.
The South Tyrolean, 23, has fired trainer Umberto Ferrara and
physio Giacomo Naldi for inadvertently putting the substance,
Clostebol, into his system at Indian Wells, a tournament from
which he was docked prize money and points due to the positive
tests.
Sinner said he now wants to focus on the US Open, starting
Monday, where he hopes to add a second slam to the Australian
Open title he won in January.
"It's certainly not the ideal run-up to a Slam, but I know I did
nothing wrong," said the San Candido-born star, who will be
number one seed at Flushing Meadows.
"I have already played with this (case) going round in my head
and it didn't go too badly".
Some have said Sinner got off lightly.
The Daily Telegraph said there seemed to be one standard for
superstars and another for ordinary players, while former
Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios of Australia said "he should
have got a two-year ban".
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