Rafael Nadal Wins Laureas Sportsman of the Year Award [Video]

February 7th, 2011

Rafael Nadal Wins Laureas Sportsman of the Year Award [Video]
by Tom Gainey

Congrats to Rafael Nadal who won the prestigious Laureus Sportsman of the Year award just hours ago in a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi.

In winning the Laureus, Nadal beat out the NBA’s Kobe Bryant, soccer star Lionel Messi, boxer Manny Pacquaio and others. It was Rafa’s second Laureus honor after he collected the Breakthrough Award in 2006. Nadal has been recovering from a torn thigh muscle suffered at the Australian Open almost two weeks ago.

WTA No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters were all nominated for the women’s award which went to American skier Lindsey Vonn.

Wozniacki was in attendance to present the disability award to Verena Bentele, a blind para-olympic skier.

The full list of winners:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Rafael Nadal
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Lindsey Vonn
Laureus World Team of the Year: Spain World Cup Team
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Martin Kaymer
Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Valentino Rossi
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Verena Bentele
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Kelly Slater

Here’s a few clips from the pre-event. In the first video, with his slicked back hair Nadal confirms that he will not play in Dubai.

Also Check Out:
Nadal Hand-Signals Way to 1st ATP Sportsmanship Award
Bolt Beats Federer for Lareus Award; Serena, Clijsters Also Win
Novak Djokovic Wins Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year Award [Video]
Holiday Tennis-X Viewer Mail
Novak Djokovic Receives A Really Big Trophy For Finishing The Year No. 1 [Video]

Filed under: 2011 Season, Videos
Tags: Laureas Award, Rafael Nadal

29 Comments for Rafael Nadal Wins Laureas Sportsman of the Year Award [Video]

Moothong Says:

Thanks for your quick update
Rafa is the great person , great sportman. He deserse for the award.
Vamos Rafa !!!

February 7th, 2011 at 12:58 pm

stu Says:

*chuckle* Rafa took a bite off the Sportsman of the Year trophy…

February 7th, 2011 at 1:42 pm

bobby Says:

Rafa is a great ambassador not only for tennis,but for sports as a whole.I hope that he will schedule his career better so that he can play for next 6-7 years more at the highest level.

February 7th, 2011 at 2:27 pm

Karthick Says:

Vamos Rafa!!! We are proud of You… All the best to win it once again for this year 2011…

February 7th, 2011 at 2:33 pm

Kimmi Says:

congratulations rafa. 2010 was indeed the best year for rafa and tennis. noone else came close!

February 7th, 2011 at 2:50 pm

gabsvamos Says:

Congratulations Rafa! I know how much you deserve this.

Just to clarify to the writer, this is Rafa’s second Laureas award, he won it in 2006 for best newcomer…

February 7th, 2011 at 3:06 pm

Kathy Says:

Congratulations Rafa! So very much deserved. Best wishes for 2011.

February 7th, 2011 at 5:22 pm

skeezerweezer Says:

Congratulations to Raaaaffffaaa Nadal. Hoping you continue to grow and mature into many more of these. Like Fed, who owns 4 of these, Rafa was voted in by sports writers/editors and the Academy, which consists of past tennis greats Boris Becker, John McCenroe, Monica Seles, Ilie Năstase and Martina Navratilova, and other sports greats such as Deng Yaping (table tennis), David Douillet (judo), Tony Hawk (skateboarding), and the great Katarina Witt (figure skating) among others.

February 7th, 2011 at 7:01 pm

jojostryus Says:

“Like Fed, who owns 4 of these, Rafa was…”

Haha! You sound like Roger. Are you sure you’re not Roger?

February 7th, 2011 at 7:59 pm

contador Says:

congratulations RAFA! yes amazing year in 2010.

February 7th, 2011 at 8:04 pm

The Tennis Emporium Says:

Good old Rafa, well deserved he is a great ambassador for tennis.

Christian
The Tennis Emporium

February 7th, 2011 at 8:32 pm

dAri Says:

Congratulations to little Rafael! When he outs on his big kid” clothes it only makes him look sweeter and younger. Laureus never gets it wrong, well done!

February 7th, 2011 at 9:39 pm

Ann Says:

Congratulations to Rafa
Good Wishes for 2011

February 7th, 2011 at 10:07 pm

skeezerweezer Says:

@jojostryus

LOL haha. I know your posts :). Your a JMDP fan right?
:)

February 7th, 2011 at 10:14 pm

jane Says:

Congrats to Rafa indeed, a well deserved win after completing the career slam, or whatever it is called when a player has won all four slams. :)

February 7th, 2011 at 10:47 pm

someone Says:

So now it’s great sportmanship to cheat and disregard the rules? Time-wasting, making your opponents wait all the time, taking so much time between serves, taking medical time-outs when you’re losing, coaching in matches. How pathetic

February 8th, 2011 at 4:19 am

The fighter Says:

congrats rafa…way to go

February 8th, 2011 at 6:56 am

The fighter Says:

@someone,
don’t ruin this day for Rafa fans with your outrageous comments.

February 8th, 2011 at 10:19 am

mytennis Says:

When perception rules the reality,one can have delusions and hallucinations like the poster “someone”.Blind hate does not need valid reason.Nadal will win many more awards.So prepare yourself for more depression.

February 8th, 2011 at 12:38 pm

mytennis Says:

Nadal deserves this award.He is a great gentleman who shines the tennis .he is a great ambassador for tennis.

February 8th, 2011 at 12:39 pm

margot Says:

Dear lord, he looks like he’s auditioning for a part in “The Godfather”!

February 8th, 2011 at 1:11 pm

aleish17 Says:

Congrats to Rafa!

February 8th, 2011 at 1:37 pm

M Says:

Enhorabuena, Rafa!

jane, because Rafa also has an Olympic gold medal, they call it the Career Golden Slam.

February 8th, 2011 at 5:43 pm

someone Says:

The fighter Says:

@someone,
don’t ruin this day for Rafa fans with your outrageous comments.

How are they outrageous? They are the truth. Someone is in denial…

February 9th, 2011 at 4:52 am

The fighter Says:

@someone
Those are utrageous. Just accept the fact that rafa was awarded the prize by experts. you have no business questioning it

February 9th, 2011 at 5:25 am

Lulu Iberica Says:

Congratulations, Rafael, and the Spanish football team! Now go kick butt in Davis Cup! I’m in Rafa withdrawal!

February 9th, 2011 at 9:52 am

Rafael Nadal: “I Was Crying in the Locker Room” After Australian Open Loss [Video] Says:

[...] A day after winning the Lareaus Award, Nadal said he was looking forward to returning to the Barcelona event which he sadly missed last year because of knee problems. Also in the Barcelona field will be Robin Soderling, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer and Tommy Robredo. [...]

February 9th, 2011 at 2:31 pm

someone Says:

@The fighter

So you deny that Rafa doesn’t waste time between points and makes his opponents wait? You are clearly deluded

February 10th, 2011 at 4:51 am

The fighter Says:

@someone
we are talking about sporting achievements here and not other things. it is an award for sporting excellence

February 11th, 2011 at 2:42 am

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