Novak Djokovic was better than everyone else on the ATP Tour in 2023, and according to Laureus, he was also the best out of all male athletes in the world.
In 2023, the Serbian legend won three Grand Slam titles, and he missed out on completing a Calendar Grand Slam only by a few points, when Carlos Alcaraz stood between him and Wimbledon trophy.
Nevertheless, Djokovic had a legendary 2023 season. Apart from winning three majors, he also won the ATP Finals, and obviously ended the year as the world no. 1, after winning 88.9% of the matches that he played (56-7).
He also surpassed Steffi Graf’s record for most weeks spent as the world no. 1, surpassed Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles and matched Margaret Court’s 24, and became the first player to complete a triple Career Grand Slam by winning the French Open.
The 36-year-old also extended many records that he previously held, so it was not a surprise that he was nominated for the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsman of the Year.
He was nominated alongside some fellow legendary athletes – Max Verstappen, Lionel Messi, Noah Lyles, Armand Duplantis, and Erling Haaland. However, despite incredible seasons that all of them had, it was Djokovic who won the award and equalled yet another record.
It was Djokovic’s fifth triumph, matching Roger Federer, who has previously won the award every year between 2005 and 2008, and additionally in 2018. The Serbian, on the other hand, won in 2012, 2015, 2015, 2019, and now in 2024.
Djokovic was present to collect his trophy for the 2024 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, giving an inspiring speech, with his young rival Carlos Alcaraz, but also old rival, Rafael Nadal, also present at the event.
“Sport is a universal language that unites us all. So, thank you so much, for being all present here tonight. There are some incredible tennis players in the building tonight – Rafa, Carlos, Garbine, Martina, some incredible people, who have made the history of the sport.”
“Yes, we are individual athletes from an individual sport, but I think we will agree that every success we owe to our families, every success we owe to our team. My family is here present with me tonight, my parents, my brothers, my wife.”
“And I would like to also want to send a big, big thank you to my team that is not here today, but they’ve been instrumental in my success in 2023 that was one of the best seasons that I’ve ever had.”
