World no. 1 Novak Djokovic earned the Laureus World Sportsman Nomination for the sixth time following a historic 2023 season. Novak is seeking his fifth Laureus honor, trying to match Roger Federer’s record and leave Usain Bolt behind. Established in 2000, the Laureus World Sports Award honors the most prominent athletes. Roger Federer took charge in 2005, rattling off four awards and writing history. Rafael Nadal earned the Laureus Award in 2011 after lifting three Major crowns in 2010, and Novak Djokovic joined the party in 2012. The Serb dominated in 2015 and 2016 before Roger Federer made one last push in 2018 after stopping the clock the previous year and lifting two Major titles.
Novak Djokovic, ATP Finals 2023© Valerio Pennicino / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
Djokovic’s fourth Laureus Award came in 2019, and Nadal secured the last honor for tennis players in 2022. Novak is a strong candidate to add his name for the first time in five years in Madrid in April following a stellar performance in 2023. The Serb conquered three Major titles from four finals and wrapped up the season as the year-end no. 1 player at 36! Novak’s rivals are Mondo Duplantis, Erling Haaland, Noah Lyles, Lionel Messi and Max Verstappen. Djokovic won seven ATP titles in 2023, including notable ones, keeping the younger rivals behind for another season. The Serb started the season in Adelaide and prevailed over Sebastian Korda in the title clash.
The Serb beat the American 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 in three hours and nine minutes, saving a match point in the second set and joining Rafael Nadal on 92 ATP titles. Novak was the favorite at the Australian Open, and he proved that on the court. Djokovic reached his tenth Melbourne Park final and ousted Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and 55 minutes, matching Nadal’s 22 Major titles! Novak missed Indian Wells and Miami and did not play well on clay in April. The defending champion lost in the Rome Masters quarter-final to Holger Rune. However, he saved his A-game for Roland Garros, seeking his third trophy in Paris.
Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz, ATP Finals 2023© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport
Novak Djokovic is among the 2024 Laureus World Sportsman Nominees.
Novak defeated world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final and bested Casper Ruud in the title clash to stand as the only player with 23 Major titles and three trophies at all four Majors! Djokovic reached the Wimbledon final, seeking his fifth consecutive The All England Club trophy. He met Carlos Alcaraz and experienced a tight 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 loss in four hours and 42 minutes, losing his only match at Majors in 2023. Novak bounced back in the fourth set, gathering a boost ahead of the decider but losing serve once and pushing the young gun over the top. Two great rivals set another clash in the Cincinnati final and produced a thriller!
Novak Djokovic© Julian Finney / Staff Getty Images Sport
Djokovic saved a match point in a 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 victory in three hours and 49 minutes, lifting his 39th Masters 1000 crown following an epic battle! Carlos led 7-5, 4-2 before Novak found extra energy, engineering a comeback under a scorching Ohio sun and gathering a boost ahead of the season’s last Major in New York. The Serb celebrated his 24th Major crown at the US Open, again cementing his GOAT status. Djokovic battled against Daniil Medvedev in the final and earned a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 victory in three hours and 16 minutes, wrapping up the season with three Major trophies by his name. Novak added 2000 ATP points to his tally, moving into the driving seat in the year-end no. 1 battle with Carlos.
The Serb battled past Holger Rune at the Paris Masters and arranged the title clash with Grigor Dimitrov. Novak ousted Grigor 6-4, 6-3 in an hour and 38 minutes, celebrating his milestone 40th Masters 1000 crown. Djokovic was the favorite at the ATP Finals, although he could have made an early exit. However, Jannik Sinner kept him in the competition, and Djokovic used the opportunity to lift his 98th ATP title and close the season in style. Novak lost to Jannik Sinner in the round-robin stage and fixed that in the final. He earned a rock-solid 6-3, 6-3 win over the home favorite in an hour and 43 minutes, becoming the only player with seven ATP Finals titles and leaving Roger Federer on six.
Novak Djokovic, US Open 2023© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport
It was Novak’s seventh title of the season, making him the best player in almost every category. Djokovic wanted to claim the Davis Cup trophy for Serbia for the first time since 2010 and had a chance to move his country into the final. Novak played against Jannik Sinner in the semi-final and experienced a tough 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 loss, missing a chance to push his country into the title clash. Jannik denied three match points in the deciding set’s tenth game, gathering a boost and rattling off three games en route to his second victory over Novak within ten days.
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