Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka have been named the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards winners for World Sportsman of the Year and World Sportswoman of the Year, respectively. The announcement was made on April 20 in Madrid at the historic Cybele Palace, where the tennis stars were honored for their dominant performances throughout the 2025 season.
The Laureus World Sports Academy, composed of 69 sporting legends, selected Alcaraz and Sabalenka based on voting by global media and the academy’s internal deliberations. Both athletes received their first Laureus awards, marking a significant milestone in their careers.
Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish tennis star, capped off a remarkable 2025 season by winning the French Open and US Open titles, securing his first Grand Slam victories on clay and hard courts. He finished the year as the ATP World No. 1 after a season record of 71 wins and 9 losses, including a strong showing at the ATP Finals where he finished as runner-up to Jannik Sinner.
In his acceptance speech, Alcaraz reflected on his journey, recalling his breakthrough at the Laureus Awards three years prior when he met Lionel Messi. “Three years ago, I was in Paris receiving the Breakthrough Award and meeting my hero, Lionel Messi. I dreamed of one day being on this list with him, and today that dream has become reality,” he said. “Walking in the footsteps of Federer, Djokovic, Bolt, and Nadal, I feel the weight of this moment deeply.”
Sabalenka, the 27-year-old Belarusian tennis player, was recognized for her consistency and excellence across all surfaces in 2025. She won the US Open and reached the finals of both the Australian Open and French Open, securing the WTA World No. 1 ranking at season’s end. Her season included four WTA titles and deep runs in Grand Slam events, underscoring her status as one of the most formidable players in women’s tennis.
The 2026 Laureus Awards also honored other standout performances across sports. Rory McIlroy received the World Comeback of the Year award after winning the Masters Tournament, ending an 11-year wait for a career Grand Slam in golf. Paris Saint-Germain was awarded the World Team of the Year for their historic first UEFA Champions League title, a landmark achievement for the French club.
18-year-old Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and the Spain national team won the World Breakthrough of the Year award, while German football legend Toni Kroos was honored with a special lifetime achievement award for his contributions to the sport.
The ceremony in Madrid highlighted tennis’s continued prominence on the global sports stage, with both the men’s and women’s top honors going to tennis players for the second consecutive year. Alcaraz and Sabalenka join an elite group of athletes who have been recognized by Laureus for not only their athletic achievements but also their influence and sportsmanship.
As the tennis season progresses, both Alcaraz and Sabalenka are expected to remain at the forefront of their respective tours, defending their Grand Slam titles and aiming to maintain their positions at the top of the world rankings. Their Laureus victories serve as a testament to their hard work, resilience, and excellence over the past year.
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Stay tuned for the next major checkpoint in the tennis calendar as players prepare for the upcoming clay court season, headlined by the Madrid Open and building toward the French Open in late May.
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