Jelena Djokovic playfully warns Sinner after he hires Novak’s former staff

Novak Djokovic’s wife, Jelena, warned Jannik Sinner after the World No. 1 hired two former members of the Serbian’s team. After the doping controversy, Sinner removed physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi and fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara from his team, who were apparently responsible for the contamination of the Italian’s body with clostebol.

According to the official explanation, Ferrara purchased a common-use spray that contained the steroid and gave it to Naldi to treat a cut on a finger. Naldi then treated Sinner without using gloves, which allegedly caused contamination through small wounds on the Italian.

Before the US Open, Sinner announced changes in his team, removing two members. He competed at Flushing Meadows without replacements but recently announced the new additions on social media—none other than two former members of Djokovic’s team.

The additions are Marco Panichi, former fitness coach, and Ulises Badio, physiotherapist, both of whom worked with Djokovic. Panichi left Djokovic’s team in May of this year after the Serbian decided to make changes following some irregular results, including the departure of his main coach, Goran Ivanisevic. As for Badio, he worked with Djokovic until 2022 after more than five years on his team.

Sinner announced the new additions on social media, posting a picture with Panichi and Badio on Instagram: "Welcome to the team, Marco and Ulises," he captioned.

One of the responses received by the 2-time Grand Slam champion came from none other than Jelena Djokovic, wife of the recent Paris 2024 gold medalist. “I will not give in!!!” Jelena joked on Sinner’s post, along with several laughing emojis, indicating her intention not to leave her husband.