By Alberto Amalfi | Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Novak Djokovic won the prestigious Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award for the second straight year and third time overall.
Photo credit: Laureus
Dance partners at the 2015 Wimbledon ball, Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic are reunited as major title holders again.
Williams won a record-extending fourth Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award and Djokovic received Laureus World Sportsman of the Year honors for the second straight year and third time overall.
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The ATP world No. 1 was on hand at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Berlin last night to receive the award, adding to a rapidly-growing collection. Djokovic previously won World Sportsman of the Year honors in 2012 and 2015.
Wearing a pair of white adidas with a black tuxedo, Djokovic spoke eloquently calling it "a great privilege and honor and probably the most prestigious award we have in sports worldwide, considering the fact you're nominated by worldwide media representatives, academy members and former champions."
The honor recognizes Djokovic's dominance in 2015 when he won three Grand Slams, 11 titles and a record six ATP World Tour Masters championships. Djokovic concluded 2015 with an 82-6 record.
In his acceptance speech, Djokovic said sport has the power to transform lives.
"Sport has inspired me and all of us in so many different ways," Djokovic said. "It has power to reach the most remote places in the world and to reach children everywhere all around the world and to give them hope, to give them a higher purpose in life."
The 28-year-old Serbian dedicated the award to three-time Formula One world champion Niki Lauda, who was on hand to accept the Lifetime Achievement award, and the late Johan Cruyff, who was posthumously awarded the Spirit of Sport title for his lasting contributions to soccer.
Boris Becker, Djokovic's coach and a long-time Laureus supporter, believes Serena's 2015 season in which she won three of the first four Grand Slam titles, has elevated her to super hero status.
"I call Serena Superwoman. What this lady does on the tennis court is unbelievable," Becker said. "She's like wine: the older she gets, the better she is."
The Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony, hosted by Bill Murray at the Messe Berlin Palais am Funkturm, was broadcast to 160 countries.
Laureus World Sports Awards were announced in seven categories.
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams
Laureus World Team of the Year: All Blacks
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Jordan Spieth
Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Dan Carter
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Daniel Dias
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Jan Frodeno