Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were the winners of the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday night.
Djokovic added the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year title to his collection of honors from 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2019 by winning it a record-tying fifth time. During the glamorous ceremony, the Rafael Nadal Foundation was presented with the Laureus Sport for Good Award.
The 36-year-old Serbian player received recognition for his incredible 2023 campaign, during which he only missed out on completing a Grand Slam of the calendar year. Djokovic only lost against Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set final at Wimbledon, having won majors at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and US Open. He achieved two firsts at the end of the year: he won a record seventh Nitto ATP Finals title and an eighth time at Year-End No. 1 Presented By PIF.
“Recently, Djokovic became the oldest World No. 1 in the history of the PIF ATP Rankings. I am immensely honored to have won my fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award,” the player stated. “I remember winning it for the first time as a 24-year-old in [season] 2012.” It gives me great pride to be here, twelve years later, looking back on a year that was full of success and excitement for both me and my supporters.”
“I won my tenth title and made a triumphant comeback to Australia in January of last year. This tournament holds great significance for me and has prepared me for an amazing year ahead of me. Without my amazing team and motivating opponents who constantly challenged me to be the best version of myself, I could not have accomplished this level of accomplishment.
“The 69 elite athletes that comprise the Laureus World Sports Academy are recognized through the Laureus Awards, which is why they are so unique. These are the most sought-after prizes in all of sport because I get to vote for my idols in sports.”
