In a celebration of sporting excellence, Spanish football maestro Aitana Bonmati and tennis icon Novak Djokovic emerged as the illustrious recipients of the Laureus Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year Awards at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony on Monday.
Jamaica's Shericka Jackson was a nominee.
Bonmati, the midfield maestro who played a pivotal role in Spain's triumphant World Cup campaign, etched her name in history as the first footballer to claim the coveted Sportswoman of the Year title. Her outstanding achievements, including winning FIFA's The Best and Ballon d'Or accolades, marked her as a standout performer in women's football.
Upon receiving the esteemed accolade from four-time Laureus Award recipient Usain Bolt, Bonmati expressed her profound gratitude and shared her aspirations to inspire the next generation of female athletes. “I am honoured to receive the Laureus for Sportswoman of the Year – and I am also very happy that my international teammates have been recognised as the Team of the Year by the Laureus World Sports Academy.
“It is humbling to see the list of previous winners of this Award. From Serena Williams to Simone Biles, Lindsey Vonn, Naomi Osaka and last year’s winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, they are all incredible athletes who have not only excelled in their chosen sports, but been incredible role models for younger generations of young women and girls. To be the first footballer to win this Award makes it even more special and I hope to represent my sport in the same way that those great champions have done.
“Our national team is a group like no other – our strength comes from every challenge we have faced, both on and off the field of play. I believe we have met them all, and I hope that we can be an inspiration to young girls in Spain and around the world, to not just take up football but participate in sport and enjoy all the benefits it brings. At this 25th Laureus Awards, the message of Laureus’ founding Patron, Nelson Mandela, remains true: sport has the power to change the world.
“On a personal level, I would like to thank the Laureus Academy for the Sportswoman of the Year Award. To join a list of winners that includes such great sporting heroes is very special for me – more so because these Awards are voted for by the sporting champions of the Laureus Academy."
Bonmati's triumph was further highlighted as the Spanish women's football team clinched the Team of the Year honour, underscoring their collective prowess and resilience on the global stage.
Novak Djokovic, the indomitable force in men's tennis, seized the spotlight once again as he claimed his fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. Djokovic's remarkable 2023 season, which saw him equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles, solidified his status as one of the sport's all-time greats.
“I am incredibly honoured to have won my fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. 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.
“It was thrilling to return to Australia last January and win my 10th title. It is a tournament that is so dear to my heart and set me up for an incredible 12 months. I could not have achieved so much success without an incredible team behind me, and inspirational rivals who have always pushed me to be the best version of myself.
Among the evening's other notable honours was the recognition of England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who was named Breakthrough Player of the Year for his standout performances in LaLiga with Real Madrid.
Simone Biles, the resilient gymnastics icon, received the Comeback of the Year Award, celebrating her unwavering determination and resilience in overcoming adversity.
Additionally, Diede de Groot, the exceptional Dutch wheelchair tennis player, was honoured as the Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability, while Arisa Trew was recognized as the Action Sportsperson of the Year for her thrilling contributions to extreme sports.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the impactful work of the Rafa Nadal Foundation, which was awarded the Laureus Sport for Good accolade for its transformative initiatives using sport as a vehicle for social change.
The Laureus World Sports Awards, featuring nominees selected by global media and winners determined by the esteemed Laureus World Sports Academy, have been a beacon of excellence since their inception in 2000. This year's event showcased the pinnacle of athletic achievement and celebrated the unwavering spirit and dedication of athletes worldwide.
Djokovic labels Musetti thriller as his greatest French Open showing
Novak Djokovic was in the mood for partying after surviving a thriller against Lorenzo Musetti, describing the performance as his greatest French Open showing.
The world number one battled long into the Paris night to secure a 7-5 6-7 (6-8) 2-6 6-3 6-0 victory in four hours and 29 minutes across Saturday and into Sunday.
The third-round marathon finished at 3:08 a.m. local time at Roland-Garros, shattering the tournament's previous latest finish of 1:25 a.m.
This victory also saw Djokovic equal Roger Federer (369) for the most major singles match wins of any male or female player in the Open Era.
"He played a fantastic match and came very close to victory," Djokovic said on court.
"I was in great difficulties but thanks to your support in the fourth set, I became a different player. It was perhaps the best match I have played here."
A stunning fightback also marked Djokovic's 36th five-set win at grand slams – the most of any player in the Open Era.
The 24-time major champion next faces Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo, who advanced to the fourth round for the second consecutive year.
Yet before that, the Serbian wanted to celebrate.
"Who's going to sleep now?" Djokovic added. "It's impossible to sleep, so much adrenaline. If you're having a party, I'm coming."
Djokovic must reach the final in the French capital to remain at the top of the ATP rankings, though Jannik Sinner would overtake him regardless if he reaches the showpiece.
Djokovic hails Nadal as his greatest rival
Novak Djokovic hailed Rafael Nadal as his greatest-ever rival after coasting into round three of the French Open on Thursday.
The world number one had little trouble in overcoming Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3 6-1 6-2 in a little over two hours on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Speaking at a news conference after his victory, Djokovic was asked about his long-term foe Nadal, who has possibly played his final tournament at Roland Garros.
Nadal, dubbed the 'King of Clay', was unseeded for the tournament due to a long injury lay-off and was beaten by Alexander Zverev in the first round.
But Nadal's legacy will be forever entrenched in Paris having won the tournament 14 times, including beating Djokovic in three finals in one of tennis' best match-ups.
"He has been the greatest rival that I ever had," said Djokovic, who leads their head-to-head record 30-29.
"Matches against him on clay have frustrated me so much in my career, but they also made me a better player, made me understand what it takes to try to surpass him; try to win at least once or twice at Roland Garros.
"It's the highest mountain to climb for me to win Roland Garros, particularly because of Nadal, because I always have to win against him in order to get to the title. We had some really fantastic matches here."
Alongside Nadal and the great Roger Federer, Djokovic formed men's tennis' big three.
With Federer retired and Nadal in the swansong of his career, Djokovic - now 37 - concedes it is increasingly difficult to find the motivation to keep continuing at such a high level.
"It is becoming a little bit more challenging for me to push myself every single tournament to be really at the top," added Djokovic, who will face Lorenzo Musetti in round three in Paris.
"I did struggle with motivation on a constant basis to always have that motivation I've had for more than 20 years of professional tennis.
"I know the moment is going to arrive sooner or later when I'm just going to, you know, have off weeks, where I'm struggling to push myself or deliver what needs to be delivered.
"My commitment to practice hasn't gone down. I'm focused pretty much solely on Grand Slams and Olympics this year, and playing for my country."
Djokovic marches into French Open third round after dominant straight-sets win
Novak Djokovic eased through to the French Open third round following another straight-sets victory over Roberto Carballes Baena at Roland-Garros.
The reigning champion, who is seeking a record-breaking 25th grand slam singles title, took just over two hours to wrap up a 6-4 6-1 6-2 win and set up a showdown with either Gael Monfils or Lorenzo Musetti in round three.
Not since the 2017 Australian Open has Djokovic failed to progress beyond the second round at a major.
It looked like the Serb would be in for a tough battle as Carballes Baena broke in the opening game, though he did respond immediately before the first set appeared finely poised at 4-4 and deuce.
Djokovic subsequently drew first blood, and it was very much one-way traffic thereon.
Indeed, from 4-4 in that first set, the world number one won 14 of the next 17 games to sail into the last 32.
Data Debrief: Djokovic surpasses Nadal at Roland-Garros
The undisputed 'King of Clay', Nadal's record of 14 French Open titles looks highly unlikely to be under any severe threat in the near future.
However, Djokovic has surpassed the Spaniard by reaching round three at Roland-Garros for a 19th time in his 20 appearances - the most appearances by any player during the Open Era.
The Serb also notched up his 94th match win at the French Open. That is his joint-most at a single ATP event in his career, matching is tally at the Australian Open, where he is a 10-time champion.
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