Roger Federer crowned Laureus World Sportsman of the Year 2017

Sport360 staff 08:02 28/02/2018
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  • Roger Federer picked up two gongs in Monaco.

    Roger Federer fought back the tears while paying tribute to his long-time rival Rafael Nadal after winning the sportsman and comeback of the year gongs at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco.

    The 36-year-old became the most decorated person in the awards’ history as he beat fellow nominees Nadal, Cristiano Ronaldo and British trio Chris Froome, Mo Farah and Lewis Hamilton to claim the sportsman of the year prize.

    The Swiss recovered from back and knee problems in 2016 to win the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles the following year, with Nadal, five years younger than Federer, battling back from his own injury issues to claim the other two Grand Slams.

    Upon receiving his sportsman of the year award from Martina Navratilova, an emotional Federer said: “To my rival Rafa, I wanted to just give a shout-out to him.

    “He had an unbelievable year himself. We had a great battle and it’s because of a guy like him, I feel like I’ve become a better player as well.

    “He could very well be here as well and standing here with this award. He’s an incredible player, incredible friend, an incredible athlete.”

    Federer expanded on his relationship with Nadal at a press conference after the event, adding: “All the matches that you’ve played against one another, they sort of connect you to some extent.

    “When you lose against a guy 9-7 in the fifth (set) or you win 9-7 in the fifth, it leaves something special there for everyone.

    “Whenever you walk past a guy, you know there was a match that really shaped your character maybe as well.”

    The Swiss, who at one point was asked to “confess a flaw” to prove he was not perfect, did concede surprise at the level he has been able to return to.

    However, the 20-time grand slam champion also revealed the constant questions he has faced about possible retirement for nearly a decade have driven him on.

    “It’s like a hammer banging at the door, eventually you feel like it’s going to break through,” he added.

    “You have to hold back the door and just not let that come to you. I think it’s made me extremely resilient and strong, having to answer all these questions.

    “I think this has been a big challenge for me, just not letting that get to my head and truly listening to myself and my team. Can I actually still win? As long as I believe truly I can still win, then I believe it was worth it to come back. That’s the feeling I had. I feel like I never really let that (negativity) come to me.

    “It’s been wonderful – not to prove people wrong, but just to prove myself and my team right.”

    Fellow tennis star Serena Williams won her fifth statuette by being named the sportswoman of the year, while Formula One team Mercedes, Sergio Garcia, Francesco Totti, JJ Watt and Edwin Moses also picked up prizes.

    – The Laureus World Sports Awards highlight sporting excellence and recognise those who use sport to change lives for the better. For more information, head to www.laureus.com/awards

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