World number one tennis player Jannik Sinner has had his nomination for the prestigious Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award revoked following his acceptance of a three-month doping ban.
The Laureus Academy announced the decision on Thursday, citing Sinner’s suspension after he tested positive for the anabolic agent clostebol. The 23-year-old Italian asserted that the substance entered his system inadvertently through massages and sports therapy provided by a member of his support team.
“We have followed this case, 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,” said Laureus Academy Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick in a letter to nomination panel members. “Jannik and his team have been informed.”
The Laureus World Sports Awards, established in 2000, recognize outstanding individual and team achievements in sports globally. This year’s nominees are set to be announced on March 3 in Madrid.
Sinner, who defended his Australian Open title in January, failed two drug tests in March. Despite the positive tests, he was allowed to continue competing while appealing his case. The results became public just days before the U.S. Open, causing significant controversy as an independent tribunal initially cleared him of wrongdoing.
Critics, including fellow players and fans, argued that officials showed favoritism towards Sinner due to his top-ranking status. In September, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the tribunal’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), contending that Sinner should receive a ban of “between one and two years” under the applicable rules.
However, two weeks ago, Sinner accepted an immediate three-month doping ban after reaching a settlement with WADA, which led to the withdrawal of their appeal to CAS. His ban is set to end on May 4, allowing him to return to competition before the next Grand Slam event at the French Open.
Sinner is the second high-profile player to accept a doping ban in recent months. Women’s world number two Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month ban in November.
