Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka fly the tennis flag as they win Laureus awards

Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka flew the tennis flag pretty high at the 2019 Laureus World Sports Awards as they walked away with the sportsman of the year award and breakthrough of the year award respectively.
Djokovic won his fourth Laureus gong as he beat off competitive from France footballer Kylian Mbappe, American basketball player LeBron James and Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge.
After struggling with form and injury at the backend of the 2017 season and the early half of 2018, the Serb turned his fortunes around as he won Wimbledon and the US Open, and finished the year as the world No 1.
“A Laureus Award is what every athlete wants to win, and this one is a huge honour for me,” Djokovic, who also won the award in 2012, 2015 and 2016, said.
“Being among so many sporting greats here tonight… gives this award a special meaning for me. Last year was an incredible season for me. Returning from injury to win Wimbledon and the US Open is something I’ll remember forever.”
Osaka won the breakthrough award on the back of winning her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open last year.
The Japanese star started the 2018 season outside the world top 50, but finished inside the top five after beating Serena Williams in the final at Flushing Meadows.
Osaka saw off the challenge from Great Britain’s Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, Spanish motor cyclist Ana Carrasco and Jamaican athlete Brianna Williams to win her first Laureas award.
“I want to give a huge thank you to the Laureus Academy for giving me the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year award,” she said via a video message. “I want to thank my coaching staff and my family for being with me for these entire years.
“I also want to [acknowledge] the other nominees, and thank the Laureus Academy for nominating me for such a prestigious award.”
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Tennis betting preview: 2/1 Dominic Thiem looks rock solid in Rio
-
Who is most likely to take a 2019 men’s Grand Slam from Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer?
-
Johnny Nic on match-fixing: Tennis needs to be as corrupt as the corrupters
-
Roger Federer the doubles player: Did you know he won a ‘bizarre’ title with Marat Safin?
-
QUIZ! Test your knowledge on the ATP Tour’s ace record-holders
-
Latest
-
ATP Tour
ATP boss hails Novak Djokovic after No 1 record, saying feat ‘may stand as his single most impressive’
Andrea Gaudenzi praises Novak Djokovic.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer on Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s recent feats: ‘What they have done is extraordinary’
Roger Federer full of praise for his two great rivals.
-
Tennis News
Some notable former Qatar Open champions: From Boris Becker to Novak Djokovic
Oli Jefford on some prestigious names who have won the Qatar Open.
-
Tennis News
Serena Williams expresses support for ‘selfless friend’ Meghan Markle as she hits out at ‘malicious’ tabloids
“She teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble.”
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic’s ATP Rankings milestones as he reaches 311 weeks at No 1 to surpass Roger Federer’s record
A look at Novak Djokovic’s ATP Rankings milestones.
-
Tennis Features
Notable former Dubai Tennis Championship winners, including Martina Hingis and Justine Henin
A look at the big stars to have won in Dubai.
-
ATP Tour
Diego Schwartzman seals emotional title on home soil in Buenos Aires
Diego Schwartzman crowned Argentina Open champion.
-
ATP Tour
Andrey Rublev’s stunning record in ATP 500 events continues with Rotterdam win
Andrey Rublev continued his run in ATP 500 events .
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer hopes to return to ‘100 per cent’ fitness in time for Wimbledon
Federer has needed two operations to correct knee issue.
-
WTA Tour
On This Day in 2016: Maria Sharapova reveals positive drugs test
Maria Sharapova was banned from tennis for 15 months.