Tennis had quite the moment as the Laureus World Sports Awards were staged at the historic Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid this week.
Attracting past and present sports legends, as well as superstars from fashion, film and entertainment, along with worldwide media, the 25th edition of the glittering ceremony coincided with this week’s Madrid Open.
As Novak Djokovic, Diede de Groot and Rafael Nadal added 2024 Laureus honours to their incredible records, fellow tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz, Martina Navratilova, Boris Becker, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Garbine Muguruza, Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter also featured in the global sporting spotlight.
Here are 10 reasons why we’ve come to love the Laureus Awards.
1. Greater gravitas
Novak Djokovic added yet another milestone to his prolific record as he edged out Formula 1 sensation Max Verstappen, soccer star Lionel Messi, pole vaulter Mondo Duplantic and sprinter Noah Lyles to claim Laureus Sportsman of the Year honours for a fifth time.
“I am incredibly honoured to have won my fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award,” said the 36-year-old Serbian after accepting the award from American football legend Tom Brady. “I think back to 2012, when I won it for the first time as a 24-year-old. I am very proud to be here 12 years later, reflecting on a year that brought me and my fans a lot of excitement and success.”
2. Tennis players excel
Djokovic joined Roger Federer as a five-time winner of the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award. Rafael Nadal is also twice a winner, ensuring tennis is the most represented sport in the award’s 25-year history.
Serena Williams has claimed Sportswoman of the Year honours on three occasions, with Jennifer Capriati (2002), Justine Henin (2008) and Naomi Osaka (2021) also triumphing in the category. World No.1 Iga Swiatek has been nominated in each of the past two years.
3. More than sport
While Djokovic’s fifth Sportsman of the Year award honoured a glittering 2023 season that included three of the four Grand Slam titles (and a thrilling finals finish at Wimbledon), it also provided the opportunity to show how he aligns with the Laureus “Sport for Good” philosophy.
“Sport is a universal language that unites us all,” said Djokovic in a stirring acceptance speech, in which he also acknowledged the “incredible tennis players in the building tonight” and the teams that helps those individual athletes thrive.
4. Greatness gathers
With icons from across the sporting spectrum gathering in one place, the Laureus Awards frequently create all-star moments – and they frequently involve tennis players.
How about when Djokovic and Nadal were joined for a photo by Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham and ski queen Lindsay Vonn? Or when Bellingham was presented on stage with his Breakthrough of the Year award by last year’s recipient Alcaraz, who stood alongside MotoGP champion Marc Marquez? Scenes such as these highlight why the annual awards represent such elite, glittering achievement in world sport.
5. Red carpet moments
Professional photos and award presenting is one thing, but seeing the world’s best athletes excitedly congregate on the red carpet is especially heartwarming. For tennis fans, it’s especially fun when their favourites cross paths, just as Djokovic and Alcaraz did in Madrid.
6. Beyond the court
While the game’s greats are cast in the global sporting spotlight with their epic on-court achievements, their impact off the court can be equally profound.
Nadal’s passion to support vulnerable young people in India and Spain was highlighted as he accepted the Laureus Sport for Good Award for 2024 alongside his wife, Maria Francisca Perello (the foundation director). Founded in 2010, the Rafa Nadal Foundation fosters values including team spirit, respect and effort and aims to educated and empower youth to realise their potential through sport.
7. Inspiration illuminated
Tennis aficionados have long appreciated the astonishing accomplishments of 39-time Grand Slam champion Diede de Groot, but as she was honoured with the World Sportsperson with a Disability award, “Diede the Great’s” history-making feats were also illuminated to a broader sporting audience. It honoured a 2023 season in which the 27-year-old Dutchwoman was unbeaten in 53 singles matches, including at every Grand Slam tournament.
8. Tennis breakthroughs honoured
No sport is more represented than tennis in the “Breakthrough of the Year” category, with seven players taking home the award in the event’s 25-year history. This includes Marat Safin (2001), Nadal (2006), Amelie Mauresmo (2007), Andy Murray (2013), Osaka (2019), Emma Raducanu (2020) and Alcaraz (2023). There are also a category-high 24 nominations for players, with tennis boasting multiple nominees in 11 of those 25 years.
9. King crowned
In 2021, Billie Jean King became the first tennis player to receive a Laureus Lifetime Tennis Achievement award, joining sporting legends including Pele (football), Gary Player (golf) and Sebastian Coe (athletics), among others. Alongside Moroccan athlete Nawal El Moutawakel, the American great is one of only two women to receive the discretionary award.
“Sport has given me a wonderful opportunity to live my dream,” said King, acknowledging the power to use sport for good. “Sport also gave many of us a platform to improve our world … we are presented with a difference to make a difference in the lives of others.”
10. Extending their influence
Garbine Muguruza became the latest in a long line of tennis champions to continue her connection to global sport through Laureus. The two-time Grand Slam winner announced her retirement on the eve of the awards, where she was named a Laureus Ambassador, following in the footsteps of Tim Henman, Henri Leconte, Mansour Bahrami and Ai Sugiyama.
The Laureus World Sports Academy – whose sporting champion members determine the annual award winners – includes tennis greats Martina Navratilova, Boris Becker, Monica Seles and Li Na.
“Garbiñe can celebrate a career most players only dream about – multiple Slams, World No.1, a two-time Olympian – and I’m delighted she’s chosen to work with Laureus to use her position and profile to help made a difference through sport for good,” Navratilova said. “We are going to be stronger for having Garbiñe on our team.”
