Djokovic Wins Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award  Fifth Time

*Bellingham, Bonmati also on honours list for year 2024

Tennis world No. 1, Novak Djokovic, has been crowned Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for a record-equalling fifth time.

Djokovic ended 2023 with three Grand Slam titles – the Australian Open, French Open and US Open – and only lost out in the final of Wimbledon after defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.

Djokovic has won a record-equalling 24 Grand Slam titles and has picked up his fifth Laureus award having also won it in 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2019.

The 36-year-old said: “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.

“The Laureus Awards are so special because they represent recognition from the 69 world-class athletes who make up the Laureus World Sports Academy. To earn the votes of my sporting heroes is what makes these awards so coveted in all of sport,” concludes the Serbian.

Spain and Barcelona midfielder, Aitana Bonmati, won the women’s equivalent of Djokovic award.

Bonmati, the current Ballon d’Or holder, helped her club win Liga F, the Spanish Cup and the Women’s Champions League in 2022-23.

She was then part of the Spain side which won the 2023 Women’s World Cup, with their exploits earning them the team of the year award at the Laureus ceremony in Madrid.

Also, England and Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham, won the 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough of the Year award.

The 20-year-old has become a key player for Real following his £89m move from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

He scored the winner against Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday as he took his tally to 17 goals in La Liga this season.

Bellingham also helped Real Madrid beat Manchester City on penaltiesin their Champions League quarter-final last week.

Full Laureus awards list

Sportsman of the Year:Novak Djokovic

Sportswoman of the Year: Aitana Bonmati

Team of the Year: Spain women’s football team

Breakthrough of the Year: Jude Bellingham

Comeback of the Year: Simone Biles (gymnastics)

Sportsperson of the Year with a disability: Diede de Groot (tennis)

Action sportsperson of the Year: Arisa Trew (skateboarding)

Sport for Good award: Fundacion Rafa Nadal