April 22, (THEWILL) – Spanish football star, Aitana Bonmatí, and Serbian tennis great, Novak Djokovic, took home the top honours at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony held on Monday night. The glittering event celebrated the greatest sporting achievements of 2023.
Bonmatí was crowned World Sportswoman of the Year after an extraordinary 12 months which saw her lead Spain to World Cup glory while also claiming the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best awards. Her national team was named World Team of the Year, the first all-female side to receive this accolade.
Djokovic matched his 2023 dominance on court by receiving the World Sportsman of the Year award for the fifth time in his illustrious career. The 36-year-old equalled Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles in 2023, winning at the Australian Open, French Open and US Open.
In other major awards, England and Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham, was honoured as World Breakthrough Player of the Year, while US gymnastics superstar, Simone Biles, took home World Comeback of the Year after her remarkable return to the sport.
See the full list of winners below:
World Sportswoman of the Year – Aitana Bonmati
World Sportsman of the Year – Novak Djokovic
World Team of the Year – Spain Women’s Football Team
World Breakthrough of the Year – Jude Bellingham
World Comeback of the Year – Simone Biles
World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability – Diede de Groot
World Action Sportsperson of the Year – Arisa Trew
Laureus Sport for Good – Rafa Nadal Foundation
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
