New Delhi: Madrid’s Cibeles Palace turned into the global hub of sport on Monday night as the Laureus World Sports Awards spotlighted a year dominated by tennis, breakthrough performances in Formula One, and landmark achievements across multiple disciplines.
Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka emerged as the biggest winners of the evening, being named Laureus World Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year for the first time.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season proved decisive in the voting, with the 21-year-old reinforcing his status at the top of men’s tennis through Grand Slam victories at both the French Open and US Open. His ongoing rivalry with Italy’s Jannik Sinner has become one of the defining narratives of the sport, shaping the modern era of men’s competition.
On the women’s side, Sabalenka continued her dominance on the WTA Tour, adding a fourth Grand Slam title at the 2025 US Open and maintaining her position as the leading force in women’s tennis, olympics.com.
In Formula One, Lando Norris was recognised with the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award after a landmark season that saw him claim the 2025 Drivers’ Championship. His campaign included victories at Silverstone, Monaco, and the Australian Grand Prix, marking a breakthrough year in elite motorsport.
Snowboarding icon Chloe Kim was named Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year after another season of elite-level performances, further strengthening her reputation as one of the most influential figures in action sports.
In para swimming, Brazil’s Gabriel Araújo was honoured as Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability following a standout World Para Swimming Championships where he secured three gold medals.
The ceremony was hosted by tennis legend Novak Djokovic and Olympic freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu, adding further star power to a night already filled with sporting icons.
One of the most emotional honours of the evening, the Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award, went to former Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, recognising his outstanding career and lasting influence on world football following his retirement in 2024. Previous recipients of this award include Mohamed Salah, NFL star JJ Watt, and the Refugee Olympic Team.
The prestigious Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to gymnastics legend Nadia Comăneci, marking 50 years since her historic Perfect 10 at the 1976 Olympics. A five-time Olympic gold medallist, Comăneci was also honoured for her long-standing contribution to sport and her work with global community programmes through the Laureus movement. She becomes the first gymnast ever to receive this distinction.
The Laureus Sport for Good Award once again highlighted the foundation’s global mission of using sport as a tool for social change, recognising one of more than 300 supported initiatives worldwide.
The 2026 Laureus Awards ultimately reflected a year where tennis dominance, motorsport breakthroughs, and inspirational sporting journeys shared the global stage in Madrid.
