Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka turned the Laureus World Sports Awards into a tennis showcase in Madrid on Monday, sweeping the top honours after dominant 2025 seasons that left both players sitting at world number one.
Alcaraz set the tone. He grabbed the French Open and the US Open, then climbed back to year-end number one. He did not rely on one surface. He mastered all of them, and that versatility separates great players from era-defining ones.
Sabalenka matched that authority on the women’s side. She lifted the US Open, reached finals in Australia and France, and kept her level brutally consistent.
Her victory places her alongside icons like Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka. Tennis keeps producing winners, and the Laureus stage keeps rewarding them.
The ceremony itself reflected that dominance of Tennis too as Novak Djokovic co-hosted the night alongside Eileen Gu, adding another layer of star power from the sport.
Elsewhere, other sports fought for the spotlight. Rory McIlroy claimed the comeback award after completing his career Grand Slam at the Masters, while Lando Norris secured the breakthrough prize.
Paris Saint-Germain picked up Team of the Year after a trophy-laden season. They delivered silverware across competitions, including their first Champions League title.
Award Winners:
World Sportsman of the Year Award: Carlos Alcaraz; World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Aryna Sabalenka; World Team of the Year Award: Paris St Germain; World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Lando Norris; World Comeback of the Year Award: Rory McIlroy; World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Gabriel Araujo; World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award: Chloe Kim; World Young Sportsperson of the Year Award: Lamine Yamal; Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award: Toni Kroos; Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Nadia Comaneci; Laureus Sport for Good Award: Futbol Mas
