Tennis world No. 1 Jannik Sinner's candidacy for the Laureus Academy's annual World Sportsman of the Year award has been withdrawn due to his three-month drug penalty.
After testing positive for the anabolic substance clostebol, the 23-year-old two-time Australian Open champion, who accepted the suspension earlier this month, claimed that a member of his support staff had given him massages and sports treatment. On May 4, the prohibition will expire.
"After reviewing this case and the rulings of the relevant international bodies, we feel that the three-month ban makes the nomination ineligible, even though we acknowledge the exceptional circumstances involved," said former New Zealand rugby great Sean Fitzpatrick, chairman of the Laureus Academy.
"Jannik and his group are aware of this."
Even with the doping case still pending, Sinner had one of the greatest tennis seasons ever in 2024, taking home eight wins, including his first two major slam victories at the US Open and Australian Open.
Then, last month, he successfully defended his championship in Melbourne.
Since 2000, the world media has chosen the nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards, which honor both individual and team accomplishments in sports.
The announcement of this year's award candidates will take place in Madrid on March 3.