The Laureus Academy have revoked men’s tennis world number one Jannik Sinner’s nomination for its annual World Sportsman of the Year Award, citing his three-month doping ban.
Sinner, who accepted the ban earlier this month, had tested positive for anabolic agent clostebol which the 23-year-old said had entered his system from a member of his support team through massages and sports therapy.
The Laureus World Sports Awards have been presented since 2000, with nominees selected by the global media, recognising individual and team achievement in sport, with the nominees for this year’s awards set to be announced on March 3rd in Madrid.
Sinner, who retained his Australian Open title last month, failed two drug tests in March 2024 but was allowed to keep competing while he appealed his case.
A number of players and fans criticized officials for allowing Sinner to play on despite the positive tests and believed that the Italian had been given preferential treatment because of his top-ranking status.
Sinner, who will return to competition before the next Grand Slam event takes place at the French Open, is the second high-ranked player to accept a doping ban in recent months after women’s world number two Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month ban in November.
