Federer wins third successive Laureus award
Tennis no.1 Roger Federer was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for the third year in a row last night. The 25-year-old Swiss became the first sportsman to receive the award on three occasions, making off with it once again for his continued...
Tennis no.1 Roger Federer was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for the third year in a row last night. The 25-year-old Swiss became the first sportsman to receive the award on three occasions, making off with it once again for his continued domination of men's tennis in 2006.
Russia's record-breaking pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva won the award for World Sportswoman of the Year, while the team of the year award went to the Italian football side for their World Cup triumph.
Tennis was the big winner at the awards ceremony with Serena Williams taking the Comeback of the Year award and the breakthrough prize going to fellow tennis player Amelie Mauresmo following her first two grand slam titles.
Barcelona FC were given the Spirit of Sport award for their support of UNICEF and former Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer took the lifetime achievement award.
Federer, who has finished as world no.1 in each of the three years he has won the Laureus award, chalked up three more grand slam titles for the second time in three years.
His triumphs at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open were accompanied by victories in four ATP Masters Series events. Federer, whose victory in the 2007 Australian Open took his grand slam tally to 10, was also the first player since the Open era began in 1968 to win at least 10 titles in three consecutive years.