The nomination of Jannik Sinner for the Laureus sportsman of the year award was withdrawn Thursday because of the top-ranked tennis player's three-month ban for his two positive doping tests nearly a year ago. Laureus World Sports Academy chairman Sean Fitzpatrick said in a statement that the Italian player's ban resulting from a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency prompted the decision. “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it has been decided that Jannik Sinner’s nomination for this year’s Laureus world sportsman of the year award is to be withdrawn,” Fitzpatrick said.