Laureus World Sports Awards: Novak Djokovic, Li Na bag top honours

Tennis ace Novak Djokovic addresses the star-studded audience via a video-conference after winning the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award inShanghai last night

Shanghai: Novak Djokovic has been named Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai, pipping the likes of Rory McIlroy, Lewis Hamilton and Cristiano Ronaldo to the award.


Tennis ace Novak Djokovic addresses the star-studded audience via a video-conference after winning the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award inShanghai last night

Djokovic, who also won the award in 2012, picked up the gong after winning his eighth Grand Slam title with victory at the Australian Open earlier this year. In the past year he has also collected his second Wimbledon crown and won the ATP Finals for the third time in a row.

Ethiopian athlete Genzebe Dibaba was named Sportswoman of the Year. In 2014, Dibaba broke three world records in the space of two weeks, setting new marks for the 1,500 metres indoor, the 3,000 metres and over two miles.


Former Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci poses on the red carpet ahead of the Laureus Sports Award ceremony at the Grand Theater in Shanghai yesterday. Pics/Getty Images, AFP

Germany's football team took the Team of the Year award following success at the World Cup while South African rugby star Schalk Burger got the Comeback of the Year award after recovering from life-threatening meningitis, and Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo got the Breakthrough of the Year award after winning three Grands Prix in his first Formula One season.


Former Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona makes an appearance on the stage

Ex-NBA star Yao Ming talks to Hollywood actor Bill Murray yesterday

Li Na poses with her Exceptional Achievement award

Model Vanessa Lorenzo and Laureus Ambassador Carles Puyol attend the 2015 Laureus World Sports Awards

'Sherlock' star Benedict Cumberbatch, who was the host of the evening, speaks during the show yesterday

Rugby player Schalk Burger of South Africa (L), who won the World Comeback of the Year award, and his wife Michele pose on the red carpet

Alan Eustace of the US poses with his Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award