Sinner Adds Former Djokovic Trainer, Physio to Coaching Team 

Italy's Jannick Sinner waves to the crowd during a men's singles tennis Davis Cup tennis match between Italy's Matteo Berrettini and Botic Van Zandschulp of the Netherlands, at the Unipol arena, in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Michele Nucci/LaPresse via AP)
Italy's Jannick Sinner waves to the crowd during a men's singles tennis Davis Cup tennis match between Italy's Matteo Berrettini and Botic Van Zandschulp of the Netherlands, at the Unipol arena, in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Michele Nucci/LaPresse via AP)
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Sinner Adds Former Djokovic Trainer, Physio to Coaching Team 

Italy's Jannick Sinner waves to the crowd during a men's singles tennis Davis Cup tennis match between Italy's Matteo Berrettini and Botic Van Zandschulp of the Netherlands, at the Unipol arena, in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Michele Nucci/LaPresse via AP)
Italy's Jannick Sinner waves to the crowd during a men's singles tennis Davis Cup tennis match between Italy's Matteo Berrettini and Botic Van Zandschulp of the Netherlands, at the Unipol arena, in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Michele Nucci/LaPresse via AP)

World number one Jannik Sinner has added fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio to his staff following the dismissal of two members after he escaped a doping ban despite failing two drug tests in March.

The Italian confirmed the appointment in a social media post on Monday, with Panichi and Badio bringing vast experience after having worked with 24-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

Sinner had tested positive for the steroid clostebol, which can be used to build muscle mass, after his physio Giacomo Naldi applied an over-the-counter spray to a cut on his own hand before carrying out treatments on him.

The spray was given to Naldi by trainer Umberto Ferrara.

Sinner fired both team members last month, before winning the US Open title to make it two Grand Slam trophies in 2024 following his breakthrough Australian Open triumph.

The 23-year-old was cleared of fault or negligence last month by an independent tribunal which accepted the explanation that he had inadvertently been contaminated with the drug by Naldi, the International Tennis Integrity Agency said.

The World Anti-Doping Agency had said it would review the decision and reserved the right to appeal.

Panichi and Badio had their first session with Sinner on Monday at his training base in Monte Carlo and will travel with him to tournaments in Beijing and Shanghai.



Man City Will Adapt to Busy Week, Guardiola Says

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brentford at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 14, 2024. (AFP)
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brentford at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 14, 2024. (AFP)
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Man City Will Adapt to Busy Week, Guardiola Says

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brentford at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 14, 2024. (AFP)
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Brentford at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 14, 2024. (AFP)

Manchester City will adjust to a demanding week ahead by using their academy players, manager Pep Guardiola said before the start of their Champions League campaign.

Guardiola's side are bracing for a whirlwind, as an independent hearing into City´s alleged 115 breaches of Premier League financial regulations is set to begin on Monday, two days before they host Serie A champions Inter Milan in the Champions League.

City will then host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday and Watford in the third round of the League Cup next Tuesday. Guardiola said his side will need to acclimatize to the season ahead, in which they are projected to play about 75 games.

Many City players, including Kevin De Bruyne, Manuel Akanji, and Bernardo Silva, have voiced concerns about the crammed calendar this season with an expanded Champions League format and the Club World Cup.

"I have no opinion (on the format)," Guardiola told reporters. "UEFA decided this and we want to be there so we will play that format.

"Yes, there are more games (in the calendar), but it is what it is. What can we do? On Wednesday, we play the best team in Italy then on Sunday we play best contender of last two seasons.

"Then Tuesday another game. We have an Academy. We have to adapt and go. I like to play Champions League, so we are going to play."

All three European club competitions have been expanded to 36 teams this season and FIFPRO's European member unions have started legal action against FIFA over the expanded men's 32-team Club World Cup, starting next June in the United States.

Last season, England recorded the highest number of domestic back-to-back matches, 87, among top European leagues, with Premier League clubs averaging the shortest recovery time between games at 67.3 hours.