PARIS: The Winners of the 2021 Laureus World Sports Awards have been unveiled at a digital awards ceremony from Seville, Spain. Among the highlights were a fourth Laureus Award for Rafael Nadal and second Laureus Award for Naomi Osaka and the Bayern Munich football team. Lewis Hamilton was recognised for his social activism, and Liverpool FC’s Mo Salah received the Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award.
Earlier Thursday, Nadal reached the quarter-finals of the Mutua Madrid Open.
The other nominees this year were Joshua Cheptegei, Armand Duplantis, Lewis Hamilton, LeBron James and Robert Lewandowski.
“I want to say thank you very much from the bottom of my heart to the Laureus Academy. I have had some amazing competitors,” Nadal said. “The rest of the sportsmen probably deserve the trophy the same as me, but this was the year for me and I can’t be happier.
“Winning the French Open and equalling the 20th Grand Slam of Roger Federer has been an unforgettable moment. It means a lot to equal my great rival, but at the same time, my great friend. It’s something very special after all the history we have had together on and off court.
“The pandemic that we are facing is something unprecedented and I want to send a message of support to all the families that have suffered or lost somebody.”
The Spaniard received a message of congratulations from WTA legend Martina Navratilova. “What can I say to you that hasn’t been told to you by countless others? But, for me, watching you play, watching you compete for every point as if it is match point, your total and utter commitment to the sport, your professionalism is off the charts,” Navratilova said. “People will be writing books about you so that they can teach others to do what you have done so well for, now almost 20 years. So, I salute you, I respect you, I love watching you play and I hope you never quit so you can win, maybe 30 Roland Garros titles. Anyway, congratulations.”
2021 Laureus World Sports Awards Winners
World Sportsman of the Year Rafael Nadal
World Sportswoman of the Year Naomi Osaka
World Team of the Year Bayern Munich
World Breakthrough of the Year Patrick Mahomes
World Comeback of the Year Award Max Parrot
Sport for Good Award KICKFORMORE by KICKFAIR
Lifetime Achievement Award Billie Jean King
Athlete Advocate of the Year Award Lewis Hamilton
Sporting Inspiration Award Mohamed Salah
Sporting Moment of the Year Award Chris Nikic
