Roger Federer has become the most decorated athlete of all time at the Laureus Awards after claiming double honours at this year’s ceremony in Monaco.
Federer, who returned to world No.1 earlier this month, was honoured with sportsman of the year and comeback of the year awards. The 36-year-old enjoyed a stellar 2017 season that saw him win seven ATP titles, including two at grand slams. His success came after a six-month hiatus from the sport in 2016 due to a knee injury. Federer has been able to continue his winning run into this season. At the Australian Open he became the first man in history to win a 20th major title. More recently, he also won the Rotterdam Open. The same tournament that also saw him return back to world No.1.
“This is a very special moment for me. Everyone knows how highly I value my Laureus awards, so to win another would have been wonderful, but to win two is a truly unique honour. And so unexpected.” Federer said during the trophy ceremony on Tuesday.
“I am delighted and I would like to thank the Laureus Academy for all their support.
“It was an unforgettable year for me, to come back after a very difficult 2016, and these awards just make it even more memorable. When I won my first Laureus Award back in 2005, if you had said I would ended up winning six I would not have believed you. It’s been an amazing ride.”
“Last year, it was just a dream come true.”
– @rogerfederer reflects on his win for Comeback of the Year. #Laureus18 pic.twitter.com/E4GxOmfTyP
— #Laureus18 (@LaureusSport) 27 February 2018
The double triumph has brought Federer’s total tally at the awards ceremony to six. The most ever won by an individual athlete. This year he fought off competition from Cristiano Ronaldo, Mo Farah and Rafael Nadal in the sportsman of the year category.
Who did Federer beat to win his latest awards?
Sportsman of the Year award
Nominated: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) football, Mo Farah (GB) athletics, Chris Froome (GB) cycling, Lewis Hamilton (GB) Formula 1, Rafael Nadal (Spain) tennis.
Comeback of the Year
Nominated: FC Barcelona (Spain) football, Valentino Rossi (Italy) motorsport, Sally Pearson (Australia) athletics, Justin Gatlin (US) athletics, Chapecoense (Brazil) football.
The future without the Big Four
Speaking to reporters in Monaco, the Swiss player admits that he doesn’t think the upcoming generation of male tennis players will match the achievements set by the Big Four. Federer, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have won 51 grand slam trophies between them. Nadal has won 10 at the French Open alone.
Predicting future grand slam success for the likes of Grigor Dimitrov and Dominic Thiem, the 36-year-old remains unsure if they could reach the magic 10.
“It is definitely hard to see one player right now getting 10 slams,” said Federer.
“It is much easier to say that probably a lot of guys are going to win a slam or two but winning 10 slams is not something you can predict, people didn’t predict that with me to be honest.
“Maybe with Rafa (Nadal) with the French Open you say yes he is going to grab a few there. Maybe he is going to win five (he has 10 to his name) as he was an amazing junior as well like Bjorn Borg, they were the best teenagers we ever had in the game.”
Inevitably the reign of the Big Four will come to an end one day. The prospect is one that trigger the Next Gen campaign by the ATP. A project to promote and support players under the age of 21 on the tour. Looking ahead to the future, Federer believes there is nothing to worry about when he retires. Despite the mass appeal of the Big Four.
“The game of tennis always has a way of producing champions and the future has never worried me,” he assured.
“Someone will follow in our footsteps and be a champion.
“We are a shadow over the game, the top guys, and clearly we don’t allow them (the younger ones) to completely flourish but once we are gone I think it will still be very, very exciting.”
In this week’s ATP Emirates rankings, only six of the top 20 players are under the age of 25.
Serena also wins big
Federer wasn’t the only tennis player to triumph in Monaco. Serena Williams, who is set to return to action next month, unexpectedly won the Sportswoman of The Year award. The American hasn’t played a WTA tournament since last year’s Australian Open, where she won her 23rd grand slam title.
The Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year is @serenawilliams! 🎾#Laureus18 pic.twitter.com/YHWQmSt5Ad
— #Laureus18 (@LaureusSport) 27 February 2018
Williams’ honour has been met with surprised by some given her recent absence from the world of sport due to welcoming her first child. It is the fourth time she has won the award after previously claiming it in 2003, 2010 and 2016.
Garbine Muguruza, 800m runner Caster Semanya, sprinter Allyson Felix and skier Mikaela Shiffrin were some of the athletes that missed out.
