World tennis No 1, Novak Djokovic, has been named the sportsman of the year for the second year in a row at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Berlin.
The 28-year-old Serbian beat strong competition from Barcelona’s superstar, Lionel Messi, and sprint king, Usain Bolt.
Djokovic’s coach, Boris Becker, who is a Laureus Academy member expressed his opinions on why he won the prestigious award.
“He had a great year again,” said Becker.
“He’s played 88 matches, has won 82, He won three out of the four Grand Slams, reached the final of the French Open, he’s won seven other tournaments. Very few players, if any, had a year like that.”
The night in Berlin turned out to be for the tennis world as Serena Williams also scooped the Laureus sportswoman of the year.
Messi, 28, won the team athlete of the year award just a day after he reached a milestone of 500 career goal.
Former Formula 1 world champion, Niki Lauda, now chairman of the sport’s Mercedes team, received a lifetime achievement award.
The award which is also known as Oscars of sports, hosted several notable sportsmen and women past and present.
Full list of winners
Sportsman of the Year
Novak Djokovic (Serbia), tennis.
Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams (US), tennis.
Team of the Year
All Blacks (New Zealand), rugby.
Breakthrough of the Year
Jordan Spieth (US), golf.
Comeback of the Year
Dan Carter (New Zealand).
Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability
Daniel Dias (Brazil), swimming.
Action Sportsperson of the Year
Jan Frodeno (Germany), ironman.
Team Athlete of the Year
Lionel Messi (Argentina), football.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Nikki Lauda (Austria), formula 1.
