Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rick Macci hails Maria Sharapova as “one of the mentally strongest players” he ever trained
Former Serena Williams and Andy Roddick coach, Rick Macci, praised Jannik Sinner for his response to the doping scandal against him. The Italian tested positive for Clostebol twice in March of this year after Indian Wells, but the information was only made public in August, prior to the US Open.
The world No. 1 faced strong criticism from some of his colleagues, including Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov, for allegedly receiving different treatment compared to other players’ cases and not facing any suspension.
Sinner faces doping allegations
The ITIA announced that an independent tribunal ruled that Sinner bore “no fault or negligence” in the case. The substance reportedly entered his body after receiving a massage from his former physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, who used an aerosol containing Clostebol to treat a cut on his finger, which is believed to be the reason the substance was detected in Sinner’s system. This situation led to the departure of Naldi and fitness coach Umbert Ferrara from Sinner’s team.
“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,” the two-time Grand Slam champion admitted.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport seeking a suspension for the player of up to two years. “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.”
Sinner gains support from Rick Macci
Recently, Rick Macci shared his thoughts on how Sinner handled the situation. Macci is a legendary former coach of several No. 1 players, such as Serena and Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, and Jennifer Capriati, and is a Hall of Famer known as one of the most outstanding coaches in history.
“I was asked again by another journalist if Sinner should be suspended for two years because of the doping allegations. I said of course not, but a few journalists should be suspended for two weeks for being a dope,” he wrote. “The Italian flame thrower and how he handled the allegation is another gold nugget in his mental toolbox,” Macci added.
