Jannik Sinner misses out on potential Laureus World Sports award due to doping ban

The Laureus World Sports Awards is an annual awards ceremony which seeks to celebrate the best athletes who performed best throughout the year, however, despite helping to dominate 2024, world No. 1 Sinner has had his nomination withdrawn.

"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it has been decided that Jannik Sinner's nomination for this year's Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award is to be withdrawn," Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

"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. Jannik and his team have been informed."

The decision comes after the Italian agreed to a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) which stated that the Australian Open champion will serve a three-month ban from professional tennis - from February 9th until May 4th - for failing two doping tests in March 2024.

Previously, WADA had sought to appeal an independent tribunal's decision, which found that the world No. 1 had 'no fault or negligence' for the failed doping tests.

"WADA accepts that Mr. Sinner did not intend to cheat, and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge as the result of negligence of members of his entourage," the WADA statement read.

"However, under the Code and by virtue of CAS precedent, an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage's negligence.

"Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Sinner will serve his period of ineligibility from 9 February 2025 to 11:59 pm on 4 May 2025 (which includes a credit for four days previously served by the athlete while he was under a provisional suspension). As per the Code Article 10.14.2, Mr. Sinner may return to official training activity from 13 April 2025.

"In light of the case resolution agreement, WADA has formally withdrawn its appeal to CAS."

In an official statement released shortly after the settlement announcement, the three-time Grand Slam champion stated: "This case had been hanging over me now for nearly a year and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year.

"I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realise WADA's strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love.

"On that basis, I have accepted WADA's offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a 3-month sanction."

Sinner's lawyer also added: "I am delighted that Jannik can finally put this harrowing experience behind him.

"WADA has confirmed the facts determined by the Independent Tribunal. It is clear that Jannik had no intent, no knowledge, and gained no competitive advantage. Regrettably, errors made by members of his team led to this situation."

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