“I bow at the feet of Rafa because of what he did week after week. You have to respect that,” Alcaraz said. “We admire Rafa for what he’s done, particularly on this swing. But winning everything consecutively is kind of impossible. And once you’ve experienced it firsthand, you appreciate what Rafa did much more and how difficult it is to be 100% physically and mentally week after week.”
But the two Spaniards weren’t the only tennis stars in the room for the reception. Five-time Sportsman of the Year recipient Novak Djokovic presented the award, eventuall given to pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis over Alcaraz, swimmer Leon Marchand, cyclist Tadej Pogacar and Formula One driver Max Verstappen.
“When you achieve your childhood dreams, it’s an amazing feeling,” Djokovic said before naming the winner. “Winning the Laureus Sportsman of the Year is the highest honour you can be blessed with in sport globally, because you’re elected and recognised by the greatest athletes in the history of sports, many of whom are present in this room this evening.”
Elsewhere, Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas walked the red carpet together, while Belinda Bencic, Caroline Garcia, Laureus ambassador Garbiñe Muguruza, and Donna Vekic also attended.
