Tennis dominated the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, as Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka claimed the prestigious titles of Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year. The ceremony highlighted their individual achievements and the intense nature of modern professional sports.
Alcaraz Addresses Injury Concerns and Rivalry
As the world No. 2 player, Carlos Alcaraz addressed concerns regarding his right wrist injury, which led to his withdrawal from earlier tournaments. Speaking to CNN Sports, Alcaraz expressed optimism while remaining cautious about his recovery timeline.
- He stated that he was still assessing the extent of the injury.
- Alcaraz emphasized that recovery is about the process of coming back, not just avoiding injury.
- His recent success included winning the Australian Open, which marked him as the youngest player ever to complete a career Grand Slam.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz cited his rivalry with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner as a primary motivator, stating, "The rivalry that I have with Jannik, it’s in my mind every day."
Sabalenka Reflects on Lessons from a 'Crazy' Season
Aryna Sabalenka, who secured Sportswoman of the Year, reflected on her 2025 season as a period of significant learning. Despite reaching three Grand Slam finals, she noted that her performance in those finals was not always at her peak.
- Sabalenka highlighted the importance of emotional control during high-stakes moments.
- She credited her tough losses with teaching her resilience, both as an athlete and a person.
- Her breakthrough came at the US Open, where she won the title in straight sets against Amanda Anisimova.
Full Laureus 2026 Winners List
The awards ceremony recognized excellence across multiple sports disciplines. The full list of winners included:
- Sportsman of the Year: Carlos Alcaraz
- Sportswoman of the Year: Aryna Sabalenka
- World Team of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain (men’s squad)
- World Breakthrough of the Year: Lando Norris
- World Comeback of the Year: Rory McIlroy
- World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Gabriel Araújo
- World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Chloe Kim
- Sport for Good Award: Fútbol Mas
