Most Laureus World Sportsman of the Year awards won

Roger Federer (Switzerland; 2005–08 and 2018) and Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 2012, 2015–16, 2019 and 2024) have both picked up five Laureus World Sportsman of the Year awards. At the 25th annual ceremony in Madrid, Spain, on 22 April 2024, Djokovic maintained tennis’ domination of the category when he was honoured for a 2023 season that saw him achieve his 22nd, 23rd and 24th Grand Slam singles titles (Australian Open/French Open/US Open), reach the final at the year’s fourth major, Wimbledon, and secure a record seventh singles crown at the season-ending ATP Finals. Djokovic also finished the year at No.1 in the ATP world rankings for an unprecedented eighth time.

Since it was first presented in 2000, Sportsman of the Year has also been won by the third member of tennis’ so-called “big three”, Rafael Nadal (2011 and 2021).

The most wins away from the tennis court is four, by sprinter Usain Bolt (2009–10, 2013 and 2017), and two awards apiece for golfer Tiger Woods (2000–01), Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher (2002 and 2004) and soccer player Lionel Messi (2020 and 2023).

The 2024 Laureus Sportsman of the Year nominees were: Djokovic, Armand Duplantis (athletics – pole vault), Erling Haaland (soccer), Noah Lyles (athletics – sprinting), Lionel Messi (soccer) and Max Verstappen (Formula 1).

Federer has won six Laureus awards in total, collecting a trophy for Comeback of the Year in 2018 in addition to Sportsman of the Year.

The Laureus World Sports Awards, often referred to as the sporting equivalent of the Oscars, celebrate the achievements of athletes from across the sporting world and showcase the work of Laureus Sport for Good, a charity which “uses the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage, proving that sport can change the world”.