Jannik Sinner revoked from Laureus Sportsman Year award nomination after doping ban

Jannik Sinner is currently serving a three-month ban.

The Laureus World Sports Academy announced their decision on February 27 to withdraw Jannik Sinner‘s nomination for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award. Sinner was suspended from all forms of tennis for three months by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The World Number One has said to have admitted “partial responsibility” for team mistakes that led to him testing positive twice in March 2024. While the WADA has ruled out the possibility of consumption of performance enhancers, the 23-year-old has been reprimanded for his team’s negligence.

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In light of the ongoing controversy, Sinner’s nomination for the Player of the Year award was withdrawn. In their official statement, Laureus World Sports Academy Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick said, “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it has been decided that Jannik Sinner’s Nomination for this year’s Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award is to be withdrawn.

We have followed this case 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”, Fitzpatrick added.

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In 2023, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic won the Sportsman of the Year Award, while Spanish soccer star Aitana Bonmatí was chosen as the best sportswoman.

The nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards 2025, chosen by a panel of over 1,300 top sports journalists worldwide in December 2024, will be revealed in Madrid on Monday, March 3.

“Mr Sinner will serve his period of ineligibility from 9 February 2025 to 11:59 pm on 4 May 2025,” Wada said in a statement. As a result, the Italian won’t be able to defend his title at the Miami Open but will return just in time to pursue his defence at the Italian Open.

Additionally, the top-seed will be eligible to play at the Roland Garros French Open, the second Grand Slam of the season, which starts 25 May, with the men’s final on 8 June.

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