Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka have been named the Laureus World Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year for 2026, the prestigious awards announced in Madrid on April 20.
The Spanish tennis star and Belarusian counterpart were honored at the 27th Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony, recognizing their outstanding achievements over the past year. Alcaraz secured his first French Open and US Open titles in 2025, followed by a victory at the Australian Open in January 2026. Sabalenka defended her US Open crown in 2025, becoming the first woman to win back-to-back titles in New York since 2014.
The Laureus Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of sport,” have been presented annually since 2000 to athletes and teams who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields. This year’s ceremony in Madrid highlighted not only individual brilliance but also team success, with Paris Saint-Germain named Laureus World Team of the Year after clinching their first UEFA Champions League trophy and completing a domestic treble in Ligue 1.
Other honorees included Rory McIlroy, who received the Laureus World Comeback of the Year award after successfully defending his Masters title in April 2026. Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona and the Spain national team was named Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year, while American snowboarder Chloe Kim took home the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year award. Lifetime Achievement honors went to gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci.
The awards underscore a remarkable period for both Alcaraz and Sabalenka, who entered the 2026 season as the world’s top-ranked players in men’s and women’s tennis respectively. Their recognition at the Laureus Awards reflects sustained excellence across Grand Slam events and consistent performance at the highest level of the sport.
As the tennis season progresses, both athletes remain focused on defending their hard-earned positions at the summit of the game, with the French Open approaching as the next major milestone on the calendar.
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