LONDON — The nomination of Jannik Sinner for the Laureus sportsman of the yr award was withdrawn Thursday due to the top-ranked tennis participant’s three-month ban for his two constructive doping exams almost a yr in the past.
Laureus World Sports activities Academy chairman Sean Fitzpatrick mentioned in a press release that the Italian participant’s ban ensuing from a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Company prompted the choice.
“Following discussions by the Laureus Academy it has been determined that Jannik Sinner’s nomination for this yr’s Laureus world sportsman of the yr award is to be withdrawn,” Fitzpatrick mentioned.
“We have now adopted this case, the selections of the related international our bodies and – while we be aware the extenuating circumstances concerned – really feel that the three-month ban renders the nomination ineligible. Jannik and his crew have been knowledgeable.”
Sinner and WADA introduced the settlement on Feb. 15.
WADA, which had sought to ban the three-time Grand Slam champion from the game for no less than one yr, had challenged a choice final yr by the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company to not droop Sinner for what the ITIA judged was unintentional contamination by a banned anabolic steroid final March.
Sinner’s rationalization — that hint quantities of Clostebol in his doping pattern was attributable to a therapeutic massage from a coach who used the substance after slicing his personal finger — had been accepted.
The timing means the 23-year-old Italian will not miss any Grand Slam tournaments. The French Open, the season’s subsequent main, begins Might 25.
Final yr, Novak Djokovic gained the Laureus sportsman of the yr award for 2023, and Spanish soccer star Aitana Bonmatí was picked as one of the best sportswoman.
Nominees for the upcoming awards can be introduced in Madrid on Monday.