Jannik Sinner’s nomination for the prestigious Laureus Awards has brutally been withdrawn. The Italian, who is serving a three-month ban over a controversial doping scandal, was a contender for the Sportsman of the Year award.
Sinner reached an agreement with WADA to serve the suspension after the anti-doping agency appealed an independent panel’s decision to clear the 23-year-old of responsibility over two positive drugs tests last March. A very small amount of Clostebol, a steroid which is banned by WADA, was found in his system during last year’s Indian Wells.
WADA accepted Sinner’s defence that he did not knowingly take the substance. It was found to have entered his system inadvertently after being taken by his now-former physio, who proceeded to massage the two-time Grand Slam champion.
However, WADA argued that there is a precedent for athletes to take responsibility for the negligence of their team. Sinner will be banned until May 4 and his case has also seen him lose out on the Sportsman of the Year from the Laureus World Sports Academy.
Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick said: “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it has been decided that Jannik Sinner’s nomination for this year’s Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award is to be withdrawn.
“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.”
As per WADA’s code, Sinner is able to return to formal training activity from April 13. His next outing is very likely to be his home Italian Open, which begins three days after he is able to take part in competitive action again.
The Australian Open champion will not miss any Grand Slams and is likely to remain as the world No. 1 for the duration of his ban. The French Open, which takes place across May and June, will be Sinner’s next opportunity to win a major.
The outcome of WADA’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport has split opinion across the tennis community. Some feel that Sinner deserved a longer ban and that the timing – which means he will not miss a major tournament – was too convenient.
Others argue that he bore no responsibility for the contamination so should be allowed to continue playing.
