World number one Novak Djokovic won the Laureus World Sports Awards in the Sportsman of the Year category. The achievements of 2023 were taken as a basis, so Novak’s victory seems absolutely deserved. Last season, the Serbian set the record for the most Grand Slam tournaments won in history (24), taking three majors out of a possible four in a calendar year.
In the vote, Djokovic beat footballers Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, runner Max Verstappen and track and field athletes Noah Lyles and Armand Duplantis. Djokovic thus received the fifth Laureus award for best athlete of the year in his career, equaling his main rival Roger Federer and ahead of the athlete Usain Bolt. It is the tennis legends who now share first place. Novak can still get ahead of Roger, who has already bagged his racket. Although this will be extremely difficult to do. After all, the Serbian is also quite close to leaving the circuit.
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At the ceremony in Madrid, Djokovic undoubtedly became the main star and attracted more and more attention. Novak received the award from American football legend and close friend Tom Brady.
“I have won my fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, which is a great honor for me. I remember the year 2012, when I received it for the first time at the age of 24. I am very proud to be here 12 years later, reflecting on a season that brought me and my fans so much excitement and success. “I wouldn’t have been able to achieve so much success if I hadn’t had an incredible team behind me and inspiring competitors who always pushed me to be the best version of myself,” Djokovic said.
Tom Brady and Novak Djokovic at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid
Photo: Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images
Brady also gave a short speech highlighting Djokovic’s hard work and character. Tom also noted that many are now quick to write off the Serb on the court after recent not entirely successful results.
“Novak let me know it’s not over yet,” Brady said.
At that moment, for some reason, the cameramen caught the lens of the 22-time TBS champion Rafael Nadal, who became one of the guests at the ceremony. Rafa listened calmly to Brady’s words. It cannot be said that he reacted to them with crazy joy, but he had no reason to do so. Still, Djokovic is a principled opponent.
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Novak attended the ceremony with his wife Elena, who recently does not often accompany him to important tournaments. Unfortunately, in Madrid, where tennis will become the dominant sport in the coming weeks, she will not be able to see her husband play either. Djokovic withdrew from the Masters in the capital of Spain and, in the best case scenario, will take the court in Rome or even at Roland Garros.
Nadal has already been named Laureus Sportsman of the Year twice. This time, Rafa was not left without a reward either, although she is not the main one. Nadal received the Sport for Good award for his charitable foundation, which has been operating since 2010 and helps thousands of children in need around the world (mainly in Spain and India) through sports and educational programs. His wife María Francisca Perelló is the director of the foundation and shared the moment of triumph with her lover.
Rafael Nadal and María Francisca Perelló at the ceremony in Madrid
Photo: Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images
The disabled athlete of the year was Dutch wheelchair tennis player Dide de Groot. The award was presented to her by former world number one and two-time TBS champion Garbiñe Muguruza, who recently officially announced her retirement at the age of 30. On the red carpet she shone alongside her fiancé Alex Borges, whom she plans to marry soon.
In general, the ceremony in Madrid was attended by numerous tennis stars. Carlos Alcaraz, number three in the world, presented the Breakthrough of the Year award to Real Madrid footballer Jude Bellingham. On the sidelines, Carlos chatted happily with Djokovic, congratulating him on receiving the main prize of the evening.
Carlos Alcaraz (right) and Garbiñe Muguruza at the ceremony in Madrid
Photo: Getty Images
18-time TBS champion Martina Navratilova and Australian tennis player Alex de Miñaur with his beloved Katie Boulter also appeared on the red carpet. And a representative of another sport who loves tennis very much. Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn attended the ceremony in Madrid. She, together with Usain Bolt, presented the award to the best athlete of the year, the footballer Aitana Bonmati, and also personally congratulated Djokovic and was sincerely happy for him.
“Absolutely deserved!” — Lindsay wrote on social media, publishing Novak’s speech.
Vonn traditionally took a photo with tennis players. Also, with Nadal and Djokovic at the same time, simultaneously capturing Jude Bellingham in the frame.
Lindsey Vonn with Jude Bellingham, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal at the ceremony in Madrid
Photo: From Lindsey Vonn’s personal archive.
In Madrid, Djokovic performed not only on stage, but also separately in the conference hall. Novak expressed his hope to play with Nadal at least one more time before the end of his career. So far, the legends’ schedules will not intersect. Rafa filmed the Masters in Indian Wells and Monte Carlo, where Novak performed.
In turn, Nadal will play in Madrid, but Djokovic will not be there. There is hope for Rome and Roland Garros. Or to the Paris Olympic Games. Novak and Rafa have high hopes for the Games. In general, it doesn’t matter where, but the tennis world clearly deserves to see at least one more confrontation between them.
