Djokovic’s record-shattering 2023 season sees him get the nomination for the award for the second time since he last won in 2019.
Novak Djokovic (image via IMAGO)
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is yet again nominated for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award. The Serb is a four-time winner having won his last in 2019.
He won his first award back in 2012 after a stellar performance in the 2011 season. Nole won three Grand Slam titles, had a 43-match winning streak, and became the World No. 1 for the first time in his career. He lost only at the French Open in the semis to Roger Federer that ended his historic 41-0 start to the season.
The Serb won the award again in 2015 after showing unreal consistency at the Majors once again during the 2013 season. He also won Masters-1000 titles and the ATP Finals for a third consecutive year. The 2015 season was even better as he reached the finals at all four Majors losing only the Roland Garros title.
With his fourth consecutive year-end championship also secured, it is considered one of the greatest individual seasons in tennis. Undoubtedly, Djokovic retained his Laureus Sportsman of the Year award in 2016.
As he gets nominated yet again, the 24-time Grand Slam singles champion was overwhelmed by the nomination. The 36-year-old acknowledged the fact of feeling motivated to make the six-men nomination list as male athletes across the globe are considered for the prestigious award
I am thrilled to be nominated once again for Laureus World Sportsman of the Year. I have won this Award four times, and each one has been very special and unforgettable in its own way. It’s an honour unlike any other because it’s the Laureus Academy who make the decision.
They know what it’s like to reach the summit of their sport, and what it takes to stay there. This year, as ever, I’m overwhelmed by the quality of the athletes I am nominated alongside. This is what makes the Laureus Awards so special for us, and why we want to win as much as we do when we are competing.
Novak Djokovic’s case for winning the award in 2024
The 2023 season for Djokovic was historic in many ways. After being controversially deported from Australia in 2022, he returned to Melbourne Park and won the title defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets. He matched arch-rival Rafael Nadal in the process at 22 singles Majors each.
Novak Djokovic with the US Open title (Credits: The Independent)
He continued his form at the French Open where he beat Casper Ruud to win the title. It was his third Roland Garros title and became the first man to win all four Majors thrice. It was also his 23rd singles Major, becoming the leader in the race for most Grand Slam titles for the first time.
He matched Serena Williams‘ all-time Open Era record as well. At the Wimbledon, he was the four-time defending champion. It took a high-quality performance from Carlos Alcaraz to deny Nole what could have been his record-matching eighth Wimbledon singles title.
The defeat did hurt him but didn’t stop him. He defeated Daniil Medvedev in the finals to win his 24th career Grand Slam singles title. He became the only player, male or female, to achieve the feat in the Open Era. Aussie great Margaret Court also won 24 Majors but they came combined in both the Amateur and Open Era.
Nole struck gold at the ATP Finals yet again defeating Jannik Sinner in the title decider. It was his seventh win at the year-end championships, overtaking former rival Federer who won six titles. He also secured the year-end World No. 1 rank for the eighth time, extending his record.
If Nole manages to win the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award this year, he will match Federer who currently leads the list with five titles won, a feat achieved by no other player yet. The world’s fastest man Usain Bolt is the only athlete alongside Djokovic to have four Sportsman of the Year awards.
