The Laureus Awards recently withdrew Jannik Sinner from nomination for the esteemed Sportsman of the Year award. The decision was made due to Sinner’s three-month ban on doping earlier this month.
In 2024, the Italian tennis player tested positive for clostebol during his tour to the Indian Wells Open. After the tests, it came out that Sinner’s physiotherapist had made use of the adulterated spray.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) eventually cleared Jannik for the wrongdoing. Still, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) further appealed, leading to a three-month ban for the World No. 1. The ban will conclude on May 4, which will allow him to play at the French Open.
The Chairman of Laureus Academy, Sean Fitzpatrick, made an official statement regarding the withdrawal of Sinner’s name from the award, “Following discussions by the Laureus Academy, it has been decided that Jannik Sinner’s nomination for this year’s Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award is to be withdrawn.
Continuing further, the statement added, “We have followed this cane and the decisions of the relevant global bodies and—whilst we note the extenuating circumstances involved—feel that the three-month ban renders the nomination ineligible. Jannik and his team have been informed.”
Established in 2000, the ‘Sportsman of the Year’ award is given to players who show exceptional performance and sportsmanship. The previous winners of this award include players like Rodger Federer, Usain Bolt, and Lionel Messi.
The formal list of candidates for the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards is due to be unveiled on March 3 in Madrid. The awards ceremony will take place on April 21.
The World No. 1’s suspension will see him miss out on several major tournaments, but he should be back in time for the clay-season campaign, including the Masters 1000 tournament in Rome and then the French Open. The period will be significant for Jannik Sinner as he tries to restore his image and resume his professional career.
