Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have each won the prestigious award a record five times.
In the 2025 edition, Mondo Duplantis became only the second track and field athlete, after Usain Bolt, to claim the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award.
After three consecutive years of nominations, Duplantis finally captured the honor following a stellar 2024 season, where he secured gold medals at both the World Indoor Championships and the Paris Olympics.
The Laureus World Sports Award is presented annually to celebrate athletes who have achieved exceptional success in their sport over the previous calendar year. The award spans seven categories: Sportsman, Sportswoman, Team, Breakthrough, Comeback, Action Sportsperson, and Sportsperson with a Disability. It is organized by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
A panel of leading global sports journalists selects the nominees for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, while the final winners are chosen through votes cast by members of the Laureus World Sports Academy an esteemed group of legendary athletes who have reached the pinnacle of their sports.
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation harnesses the power of sport to drive positive change, currently supporting over 275 programs across 50 countries. Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s powerful words “Sport has the power to change the world” the foundation’s mission is to use sport as an effective and transformative tool to help children and young people overcome violence, discrimination, and disadvantage.
Inaugural Edition
The first Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony took place on May 25, 2000, in South Africa. Tiger Woods was honored as the inaugural Laureus Sportsman of the Year, while Marion Jones initially won the Sportswoman of the Year award, which was later rescinded. Shaun Palmer claimed the Action Sportsperson of the Year title. In the team category, Manchester United emerged as the winner.
In addition to the seven regular awards, several discretionary honors were also presented, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Sport for Good Award, Spirit of Sport Award, Exceptional Achievement Award, and Sporting Inspiration Award. Legendary footballer Pelé received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Eunice Kennedy Shriver was recognized with the Sport for Good Award during the inaugural ceremony.
Interesting Facts
- Roger Federer holds the record for the most Laureus awards won. The Swiss tennis legend has claimed six titles five for Sportsman of the Year and one for Comeback of the Year.
- Serena Williams and Simone Biles share the record for the most awards won by a female athlete. The American stars have each secured five awards — four for Sportswoman of the Year and one for Comeback of the Year.
- In 2020, the Sportsman of the Year award was shared for the first and only time, with Lionel Messi and Lewis Hamilton both receiving the honor.
- Tennis players have dominated the Laureus Awards, winning a total of 11 titles, followed by Formula 1 drivers with five awards.
List of athletes to win Laureus Sportsman of the Year award:
| Year | Winner | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mondo Duplantis | Sweden |
| 2024 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia |
| 2023 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 2022 | Max Verstappen | Netherlands |
| 2021 | Rafael Nadal | Spain |
| 2020 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 2020 | Lewis Hamilton | Great Britain |
| 2019 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia |
| 2018 | Roger Federer | Switzerland |
| 2017 | Usain Bolt | Jamaica |
| 2016 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia |
| 2015 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia |
| 2014 | Sebastian Vettel | Germany |
| 2013 | Usain Bolt | Jamaica |
| 2012 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia |
| 2011 | Rafael Nadal | Spain |
| 2010 | Usain Bolt | Jamaica |
| 2009 | Usain Bolt | Jamaica |
| 2008 | Roger Federer | Switzerland |
| 2007 | Roger Federer | Switzerland |
| 2006 | Roger Federer | Switzerland |
| 2005 | Roger Federer | Switzerland |
| 2004 | Michael Schumacher | Germany |
| 2003 | Lance Armstrong* | USA |
| 2002 | Michael Schumacher | Germany |
| 2001 | Tiger Woods | USA |
| 2000 | Tiger Woods | USA |
