Tennis well represented in Laureus World Sports Awards: Alcaraz, Sinner, Sabalenka, Fonseca and Anisimova lead the way
ATP
The Laureus Sports Awards nominees were confirmed earlier on Tuesday, with five nominees from the sport of tennis over the different categories of course led in the main World Sportsman of the Year by the leading duo in Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Well regarded as one of the most prestigious awards on offer in sport, tennis is often well-recognised in the awards. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams are all multiple-time winners at the event with the likes of Justine Henin, Naomi Osaka and Jennifer Capriati also taking home honours in the other categories.
Alcaraz and Sinner will have the main billing in the men's awards and will be among the favourites to win it. They are both nominated for World Sportsman of the Year after each winning two Grand Slam singles titles in 2025.
Alcaraz won the French Open and US Open in 2025, winning eight ATP titles in total, while Sinner won six titles, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles. Alcaraz, albeit outside of this remit, has technically continued that winning form by winning the Australian Open to start 2026.
Sabalenka, Anisimova and Fonseca also nominated
Ousmane Dembele, athlete Mondo Duplantis, motorcyclist Marc Marquez, and cyclist Tadej Pogacar are also on the six-man shortlist. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka is also part of the nominees as World Sportswoman of the Year after an impressive 2025.
The Belarusian spent the entire year as the World No.1 and lifted her fourth Grand Slam singles title at the 2025 US Open, winning four WTA Tour titles in total. As well as Sabalenka, footballer Aitana Bonmati, athletes Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Faith Kipyegon, and swimmer Katie Ledecky on the six-women shortlist.
Amanda Anisimova's stunning return has also been recognised.
WTA World No.6 Amanda Anisimova is also nominated in the World Comeback of the Year category after a landmark 2025 season for the American that saw her reach the final of the US Open and Wimbledon in 2025 and she also lifted two WTA 1000 titles, breaking into the top 20 for the first time before ultimately finishing as World No.4 in an epic year.
She is nominated alongside cyclists Egan Bernal and Simon Yates, golfer Rory McIlroy, athlete Yulimar Rojas, and footballer Leah Williamson on the six-person shortlist. Joao Fonseca is also involved in the World Breakthrough of the Year award after he won two ATP titles and rose from outside the world's top 140 to inside the world's top 30, winning matches at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Footballer Desire Doue, basketballer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, darts star Luke Littler, Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris, and swimmer Yu Zidi are also on the shortlist.
Previous Tennis Winners of the Laureus Sportsman of the Year
Tennis is the most successful sport in this category, with 12 wins since the awards began in 2000. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic currently share the all-time record for most wins (5) across all sports.
| Year | Winner | Nationality | Key Achievement (Previous Season) |
| 2005 | Roger Federer | Switzerland | Won Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open |
| 2006 | Roger Federer | Switzerland | Won Wimbledon and US Open; 11 ATP titles |
| 2007 | Roger Federer | Switzerland | Won Aus. Open, Wimbledon, and US Open |
| 2008 | Roger Federer | Switzerland | Won Aus. Open, Wimbledon, and US Open |
| 2011 | Rafael Nadal | Spain | Completed Career Grand Slam at age 24 |
| 2012 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | Won Aus. Open, Wimbledon, and US Open |
| 2015 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | Won Wimbledon and World Tour Finals |
| 2016 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | Won Aus. Open, Wimbledon, and US Open |
| 2018 | Roger Federer | Switzerland | Won Aus. Open and Wimbledon (Age 36) |
| 2019 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | Won Wimbledon and US Open |
| 2021 | Rafael Nadal | Spain | Won 13th French Open title (Record-equaling 20th Slam) |
| 2024 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | Won Aus. Open, French Open, and US Open |
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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