Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic miss European award

Robert Lewandowski earned the European Sportsperson of The Year award ahead of the seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton and Armand Duplantis, the world record holder in the pole vault.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal missed the podium by only just, finishing fourth and fifth behind the mentioned trio. Djokovic will finish the season as the year-end no. 1 for the sixth time, matching Pete Sampras' record and leaving Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on five seasons at the top. The Serb made a stellar start of the season, not losing a match until the US Open and lifting four ATP titles and the ATP Cup crown for Serbia.

Novak claimed the 17th Major crown at the Australian Open and became the Masters 1000 record-holder with 36 trophies on his tally following triumphs in Cincinnati and Rome, leaving Nadal on 35. Novak is the oldest year-end no. 1 player, hoping for another strong run in 2021 that he kicks off at the ATP Cup in February's first week. Rafael Nadal will secure the 12th year-end top-2 finish to stand alone on that list, claiming his 20th Major title at Roland Garros in dominant style to write record books and follow Roger Federer at the top of the GOAT race.

Nadal lost the ATP throne to Djokovic after the Australian Open but still had a great season, winning titles in Acapulco and Paris and wrapping up the action with the semi-final run at the Paris Masters 1000 event and the ATP Finals. Like Djokovic, Nadal should play the ATP Cup for Spain before the first Major of the season at the Australian Open.

In 2019, Lewis Hamilton claimed the European Sportsperson of The Year award ahead of Rafael Nadal, with Novak Djokovic finishing fourth.