Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka Crowned at 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards

Carlos Alcaraz was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year at the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony held Monday at the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid, becoming at 22 years old the youngest winner of the award in its history. The Spanish tennis player earned the recognition for a dominant 2025 season in which he won Roland Garros and the US Open, reached the Wimbledon final, and finished the year as the ATP world number one. Alcaraz appeared on stage with a brace on his right wrist, the result of an injury that had already forced him to withdraw from the Barcelona Open and miss the ongoing Madrid Masters 1000. The award was presented by former footballers Iker Casillas and Luis Figo, while the ceremony itself was hosted by Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic and freestyle skier Eileen Gu, both former Laureus winners. Alcaraz beat a field that included Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner, Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis, Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar, Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Marquez, and French footballer Ousmane Dembele.

„This award recognizes my 2025 season, a season full of unforgettable moments for me. Winning two Grand Slams and finishing as number one of the year is something I dreamed of since I was little, but I don't only think about the trophies and the results, I think about that journey, the work, the moments and the people who have been by my side and everything I have been learning along the way.” — Carlos Alcaraz via Europa Press

The Laureus World Sports Awards have been presented since the year 2000, honoring athletes and celebrating sport's capacity to change lives. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic each won the Sportsman of the Year award five times, while Rafael Nadal won it twice. Alcaraz's compatriot Aitana Bonmati was also a previous Laureus winner, making Alcaraz the third Spaniard to receive the Sportsman of the Year award. The 2026 ceremony marked the third consecutive year Madrid hosted the event, with the Palacio de Cibeles serving as the venue.

Wrist injury casts shadow over Roland Garros hopes The celebration was tempered by uncertainty over Alcaraz's fitness ahead of the clay-court season, with the world number two declining to confirm his participation at Roland Garros. The injury was sustained at the Barcelona Open and has already cost him appearances at both that tournament and the Madrid Masters 1000. Alcaraz said medical examinations in the coming days would determine his next steps, and he described the waiting period as difficult. „The next test will be crucial, let's say. We are trying to do everything in our power so that the test goes well. We have some exams in the coming days and from there we will see how the injury is and what steps to follow.” — Carlos Alcaraz via La República According to La Razón, Alcaraz had held the world number one ranking for 22 consecutive weeks after regaining it on November 3, 2025, before losing the Monte Carlo Masters 1000 final to Sinner in early April. The Murcia native won 8 (ATP titles) — tournaments won by Alcaraz in the 2025 season across the 2025 season, recording 71 victories against 9 defeats, according to La Razón.

Sabalenka, Yamal, PSG and McIlroy among the night's other honorees Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award after finishing 2025 as the WTA world number one for the second consecutive year, reaching three Grand Slam finals and winning the US Open. Sabalenka beat Aitana Bonmati, who won her third consecutive Ballon d'Or in 2025, and American athlete Masai Jefferson-Wooden, described as the second woman to win the World Championship Triple Crown in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4x100 relay. FC Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, 18, won the Young Athlete of the Year award, his second Laureus recognition after receiving the Breakthrough Athlete award at the previous edition. Paris Saint-Germain took the Team of the Year award after closing 2025 with six trophies, while Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy won the Comeback of the Year award following his second Masters title. Laureus also honored retired German footballer Toni Kroos with the Sports Inspiration award, and American gymnast Simone Biles attended the ceremony.

„This award is truly special for me. Honestly it is incredible to hear my name placed alongside so many legends. To be recognized by the Laureus Academy means a lot, because it understands what the sacrifices are to reach certain goals.” — Aryna Sabalenka via Adnkronos

Comaneci honored 50 years after her perfect 10 Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci received a career achievement award at the ceremony, marking 50 years since her historic first perfect score of 10 in Olympic gymnastics. The gala also recognized snowboarder Chloe Kim, who claimed her third Laureus award, and Brazilian Paralympic swimmer Gabriel Araujo, a three-time world champion who received his first Laureus statuette, according to Adnkronos. The ceremony brought together a wide range of sporting figures, with Simone Biles, winner of 41 medals across Olympic Games and World Championships according to La Vanguardia, attending in person. The event underscored Madrid's growing status as a host city for major international sporting ceremonies, with the Spanish capital welcoming the gala for a third straight year.

Carlos Alcaraz: 2, Jannik Sinner: 1, Tadej Pogacar: 0, Marc Marquez: 0, Mondo Duplantis: 0, Ousmane Dembele: 0