Rafa Nadal and Naomi Osaka win top honours at 2021 Laureus Awards
The tennis stars won awards alongside Egyptian footballer Mo Salah, Olympic snowboarder Max Parrot, F1 driver Lewis Hamilton and German football giants Bayern Munich.
Tennis stars Rafa Nadal and Naomi Osaka were the headline winners of the 2021 Laureus World Sports Awards, which were held at a virtual awards ceremony in Seville, Spain.
The night’s other big winners included German football team Bayern Munich, Egyptian footballer Mo Salah, F1 racing star Lewis Hamilton for his work fighting racism, and returning Canadian snowboarder Max Parrot.
It is an amazing fourth Laureus award for Spaniard Nadal, who claimed the World Sportsman of the Year title after winning his 13th French Open. The double Olympic champion equalled Roger Federer’s mark of a career-high 20 Grand Slams.
“Winning the French Open and equalling the 20th Grand Slam of Federer has been an unforgettable moment,” Nadal said. “It means a lot to equal my great rival, but at the same time, my great friend. It’s something very special after all the history we have had together on and off court.
“The pandemic that we are facing is something unprecedented and I want to send a message of support to all the families that have suffered or lost somebody.”
Naomi Osaka, who won the US Open for the second time, took the World Sportswoman of the Year Award.
The Japanese player, who is aiming to make her Olympic debut on home soil in Tokyo later this year, made a powerful statement at Flushing Meadows in support of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement by wearing different face masks in her matches.
“Regarding my activism on the court, I think it is important to use my voice, because for me I feel like I often hold back a lot and worry about what people think of me, but you know if you have a platform it is very important you use it,” the 23-year-old said.
“Looking ahead my main hopes for the future would be just to have helped or impacted as many people as I could and, hopefully be a better person.”
Following the announcement, Osaka received congratulations from Usain Bolt on social media, calling the Japanese tennis ace "a great role model for all the athletes," and praising how she inspires female athletes around the world.
Liverpool and Egypt football star Mo Salah was honoured with the Sporting Inspiration Award to recognise his sustained contribution to those in need - particularly in his home town of Nagrig. The London 2012 Olympian is also a powerful advocate of women’s equality in the Middle East.
“I will dedicate this Award not only to our fans but to all the other sports fans around the world,” the 28-year-old said. “This past year has been a very harsh reminder of the fact that sport, including football, is nothing without fans. Everyone in the world of sport can be replaced, fans cannot. I will end on that note.”
Canadian snowboarder Max Parrot was one of the most emotional winners of the night. The Olympic silver medallist received the World Comeback of the Year Award after fighting back from cancer to win X-Games gold medals.
German football giants Bayern Munich were awarded the World Team of the Year Award after storming to a UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal treble under new coach Hansi Flick.
British F1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton won the Athlete Advocate of the Year Award for his outspoken support for racial justice, while tennis legend Billie Jean King was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her tireless efforts to improve gender equality and social justice.
Patrick Mahomes took the World Breakthrough of the Year Award after leading Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl appearance and win in 50 years, and supporting 15 community children’s projects with his foundation ‘15 and the Mahomies’.
The German sports-based community programme KICKFORMORE by KICKFAIR, which uses football to build bridges between cultures - particularly in areas with a high proportion of refugees - won the Sport for Good Award.
Inspirational Chris Nikic, who became the first person with Down’s Syndrome to complete a full Ironman, received the most votes in the global Sporting Moment Award public vote. The 21-year-old from Maitland Florida completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile marathon run in Kona in November.