Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic and Spanish football player Aitana Bonmatí were selected best athletes of the year by the Laureus Awards, or the “Oscar of sports”. The ceremony took place on April 22nd in Madrid, the capital of Spain.

Djokovic won the award based on his performance in 2023, when he won three Grand Slams (the most important tournaments in tennis) and was runner-up in the fourth one (Wimbledon). With this new title, Djokovic has now caught up to Swiss tennis player Roger Federer in winning five best of the year awards.

Bonmatí, in turn, made history by being the first female football (soccer) player to win the award.

The athlete led the Barcelona team to win the Spanish Championship and the Champions League last year. Bonmatí also stood out because of the Spanish team’s unprecedented achievement in the Women’s World Cup; it was awarded Team of the Year on the same night.

The 25th edition of the event was hosted by American actor Andy Garcia and broadcast to millions of people around the world. Major names in world sports were present, including seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt. They both presented, respectively, the Best Athlete of the Year awards to Djokovic and Bonmatí.

Brazil at the Laureus Prize

In 2000, the first year of the Laureus Awards, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, was recognized in the Lifetime Achievement category for all his lifetime accomplishments. The Brazilian football player passed away in December 2022. Other Brazilians who have already received awards include Daniel Dias (Sportsperson with a Disability in 2009, 2013, and 2016), Raí (Sport for Good Award in 2012 for Fundação Gol de Letra), and Brazil’s 2003 men’s national football team for Team of the Year.

SOURCES: LAUREUS, GLOBO ESPORTE, TERRA AND UOL

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