Jannik Sinner Withdrawn From Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award
News
Jannik Sinner won't get a chance to win his maiden Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award after he was withdrawn this year.
The Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award is an award given to the best male sportsperson every year. It is presented during the Laureus World Sports Awards and the first such award was given in 2000.
Since then, there have been 25 awards given, and tennis has been by far the most dominant sport. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are tied as the most successful athletes in this award, with each winning it five times. Djokovic won his fifth award last year.
Rafael Nadal also managed to win this award twice, and Jannik Sinner could have been the first tennis player other than the Big Three to win this award.
Sinner had a sensational 2024 season. He won eight titles, two of which were Grand Slam titles. He won 73 out of 79 matches that he played, ending the season as the World No. 1 player on the ATP Tour.
Given the previous success of tennis players at the Laureus World Sports Awards, it was expected that Sinner would be among the considered players in 2025.
It appears that he was supposed to be nominated, but a few days prior to the official announcement of the nominees, Sinner was withdrawn from the list of possible nominees.
The nominees for the 2025 Laureus World Sports Awards will be announced on March 3rd in Madrid, Spain, this year, and the Laureus World Sports Academy Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick released a statement which informed about Sinner's absence.
"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it has been decided that Jannik Sinner’s Nomination for this year’s Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award is to be withdrawn."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."
Of course, the reason for Sinner's name being withdrawn is his three-month suspension for his positive doping test, which came during his successful season last year.
Since the Italian player tested positive for a banned substance during his incredibly successful season, the Laureus Academy probably didn't think it would be appropriate to have him among the nominees.
In Sinner's absence, there will be many possible winners. It wouldn't be too surprising if Carlos Alcaraz would be among the nominees, as he won two majors in 2024, but the rest of his season was underwhelming, which could be a reason for his possible absence from the list of nominees.
Probably the biggest favorite to win will be Max Verstappen. The Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver had a great season during which he managed to win his fourth World Drivers' Championship.
The likes of Armand Duplantis (pole vault), Leon Marchand (swimming), and Vinicius Junior (football/soccer) could be among the nominees as well.
