Jannik Sinner’s former physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi has shut down the notion that he was the only one to blame for the the Italian’s failed anti-doping tests.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed in August that Sinner had avoided a ban for failing two anti-doping in March after an independent tribunal ruled he bore “no fault or negligence.”

The Italian tested positive for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, on March 10 and 18 — during and after the Indian Wells Masters.

The tribunal accepted Sinner’s explanation that the substance had entered his body when receiving a massage from his physio, Naldi, who had used a spray containing the steroid to treat a cut on their finger.

Sinner parted ways with both Naldi and former fitness coach Umberto Ferrara and declared they had been to blame for the failed tests.

“We made an incredible job, bringing a lot of success and then having a great team behind me. Now, because of these mistakes, I’m not feeling that confident to continue with them,” Sinner admitted.

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It was announced earlier this month that the World Anti-Doping Agency had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to impose a ban of up to two years on the world No 1.

A statement from WADA said: “It is WADA’s view that the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ was not correct under the applicable rules.

“WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance.”

Speaking at the presentation of the Open Food Factory project, Naldi expressed his hope to share his perspective on what caused the failed drug tests.

“I am sorry like everyone else, but I cannot say anything else because unfortunately it is not over yet,” Naldi said.

“I hope, sooner or later, to be able to tell what happened to give a general picture. Because, from how this story has been interpreted by the general public, it seems that it was only my fault. But that is not the case, as anyone who has read the sentence knows. I realise that not everyone has made this effort.”

The Italian physiotherapist also spoke about his relationship with Sinner and the rest of the 23-year-old’s team.

“He (Sinner) was very kind: when Letizia (his daughter) was born, he wrote to me,” Naldi explained.

“Like the whole team. I have a cordial relationship with Jannik. In general I have received demonstrations of affection especially from those who know me personally.

“On social media, however, I have read bad messages and I have been insulted. Because what happened, in the telling of this story, happened a little badly.”

Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in the final of the 2024 Shanghai Masters last week to secure his seventh title of a superb season.

After he was fired from Sinner’s team in August, Naldi revealed he was “hurt” in a lengthy Instagram post.

“It’s true that there are two paths to justice: the real one sanctioned by the courts and the (unfortunately more effective) sanctioned by media,” Naldi wrote.

“The latter is too often superficial and rarely based on concrete facts, which in this case, by the way, are public.

“As a spectator, I always wondered what was the purpose of spectacular court cases, if not to judge, create or destroy people and their reputations. Today I’m the protagonist, I have confirmation of this!

“A year and a half ago I joined a fantastic work group, consisting of good people, great professionals, travel companions. With them I experienced moments of joy and pain, shared emotions, savoured victories and defeats.

“With the people of this group, I have created a strong bond, but most importantly I have been able to achieve historic goals, which have taken us into the history of Italian tennis.

“I am proud to have been part of this great Team, aware that I gave my all, that I was 100 percent professional but also that I gave more, because when you put your heart into it, it is certain that you give more.

“It hurts to think about not being a part of it anymore, tough not being in the box with you and cheering for Jannik, but I will have to get used to it quickly.

“Thank you Vagno, Darren, Umbe, Cipo, it was a beautiful journey, an unforgettable story. #Team #1

“Thank you Jannik and best of luck, for a great career, you are a champion. ‘Keep hunting!’”

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