LONDON – Jannik Sinner is nominated for the Labor Runner of the Year award, thanks to a three-month ban on top tennis player, his two active doping tests a year ago.
Sean Fitzpatrick, chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said in a statement that the ban on Italian players was a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency, prompting the decision.
“After discussing the laureus Academy, it has been decided that Jannik Sinner will nominate this year’s laureus athlete of the year award,” Fitzpatrick said.
“We followed the decision of the relevant global agencies, despite noting the serious circumstances involved, but believed that the three-month ban made the nomination unqualified. Jannik and his team have learned.”
The Sinner and WADA announced a settlement on February 15.
WADA, who tried to ban the three-time Grand Slam champions for at least one year, questioned a decision last year by the International Tennis Integrity Agency last year to not suspend the accidental contamination of ITIA’s judgment on the anabolic steroids banned in March last year.
Sina’s explanation – the trace amount of closedebol in his stimulant sample was due to the trainer’s massage using the substance after cutting his fingers.
The timing means that the 23-year-old Italian won’t miss any Grand Slam matches. The French Open is the next major of the season and will begin on May 25.
Last year, Novak Djokovic won the 2023 laureus Athlete of the Year Award, with Spanish football star Aitana Bonmatí being selected as the best sports heroine.
The nominees for the upcoming awards will be announced in Madrid on Monday.
