The tennis world is buzzing with drama as Nick Kyrgios, the outspoken Australian star, has reignited his feud with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner over the Italian’s surprising decision to rehire fitness coach Umberto Ferrara. Just weeks after clinching his first Wimbledon title in 2025, Sinner announced Ferrara’s return to his team, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Kyrgios and others, given Ferrara’s involvement in Sinner’s doping scandal last year. Kyrgios took to social media with his trademark blend of sarcasm and humor, posting, “He got the same doc back 😂😂😂 we have been played ladies and gentlemen 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔,” accompanied by laughing and potato emojis. The provocative comment, made on July 23, 2025, has fueled a firestorm of debate as Sinner prepares for the Cincinnati Open and his US Open title defense.
Sinner’s doping saga began in March 2024, when he tested positive twice for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, during Indian Wells. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) initially cleared him of fault, accepting that the substance entered his system inadvertently through massages by physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, who used a spray containing clostebol provided by Ferrara. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed, leading to a three-month suspension from February to May 2025. Sinner parted ways with Ferrara and Naldi in September 2024, citing a loss of confidence. “Now, because of these mistakes, I’m not feeling that confident to continue with them,” he explained at the time, emphasizing the need for a fresh start. His decision to rehire Ferrara, announced on Wednesday, has stunned the tennis community, with Sinner’s team stating, “Umberto has played an important role in Jannik’s development to date, and his return reflects a renewed focus on continuity and performance at the highest level.”
Kyrgios, a vocal critic of doping in tennis, has been relentless in his scrutiny of Sinner since the scandal broke. After Sinner’s Wimbledon triumph over Carlos Alcaraz, Kyrgios posted a single asterisk on X, implying the victory was tainted by the doping case. His latest jab, calling the Ferrara reunion a deception, reflects his belief that Sinner’s three-month ban was too lenient. “Obviously Sinner’s team have done everything in their power to just go ahead and take a 3-month ban, no titles lost, no prize money lost,” Kyrgios wrote earlier this year, decrying what he sees as a lack of accountability. His use of potato emojis, a playful nod to being “couch potatoes” deceived by Sinner’s camp, has polarized fans, with some applauding his candor and others accusing him of stoking unnecessary drama.
The backlash extends beyond Kyrgios. Former doubles World No. 1 Paul McNamee labeled Sinner’s decision “one of the most astonishing PR moves in tennis history,” questioning why the Italian would rehire someone linked to such a high-profile controversy. “You can afford to hire anyone in the world. Why oh why Jannik?” McNamee asked on X. Critics argue that Ferrara’s return undermines Sinner’s claim of prioritizing trust, especially after his team’s narrative that the clostebol incident was an honest mistake. Sinner, however, remains unfazed, suggesting the public has moved on. “People have already forgotten about the issue,” he said, focusing on his preparations for the hard-court season. His team’s statement emphasized Ferrara’s past contributions, noting the decision aligns with plans for upcoming tournaments.
Sinner’s 2025 season has been a tale of redemption. After serving his suspension, he reached the French Open final, losing to Alcaraz, before exacting revenge at Wimbledon, securing his fourth Grand Slam title. His reunion with Ferrara, who briefly worked with Matteo Berrettini in 2025, follows the departure of fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio. Supporters argue that rehiring Ferrara signals Sinner’s belief in his innocence, with one fan on X noting, “Willingness to rehire him more likely confirms there was no cheating going on.” Yet, the move has reignited questions about the handling of Sinner’s case, with Kyrgios leading the charge.
As Sinner gears up for Cincinnati, the spotlight will be as much on his off-court decisions as his on-court performance. Kyrgios, whose own career is winding down due to injuries, continues to wield influence through his unfiltered commentary. “We actually had a good relationship before the whole [suspension] came around,” he recently said of Sinner, recalling their competitive yet cordial encounters. Now, with their rapport strained, Kyrgios’s mocking tone underscores a broader tension in tennis over doping enforcement. Whether Sinner’s gamble on Ferrara pays off remains to be seen, but for now, the Italian’s every move is under intense scrutiny, fueled by Kyrgios’s unrelenting critique.
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