Laureus World Sportsman of the Year #4

World tennis number one Roger Federer dominated sports headlines worldwide yet again by being crowned the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award for the fourth year running!

Federer had already made history last year when he scooped up a third straight Laureus award. By collecting another award this year, the Swiss has become first man to win the award four times--in straight years no less!---since the awards, considered the Oscars of the sports world, were established in 1999. Only one other athlete had been named Sportsman of the Year in consective years (2000 and 2001): Federer's good friend Tiger Woods who is another giant in the world of sports and a nominee himself this year.

It was in fact a big night for tennis as other Laureus winners this year included Federer's fellow world tennis number one Justine Henin who was named World Sportswoman of the Year and wheelchair tennis legend Esther Vergeer who won the Laureus Disability Award for the second time.

The Swiss star who was on hand to receive the award during the star-studded ceremonies held in St. Petersburg, Russia yesterday thanked "all voters who didn't think three would be enough."

Indeed, given another amazing tennis season last year which saw him add another three grand slam titles--including a record-tying fifth straight Wimbledon title and a fourth straight US Open title--to his ever-growing haul of trophies and hold on to the year-end number one ranking for a fourth straight year, who could refuse the deserving tennis great one more accolade in recognition of such achievements?

Apparently four Laureus awards would not satisfy Federer himself as he told reporters afterwards, "I would like to win it again next year to have five in a row. I have five (successive) Wimbledon titles so it would be great to have five Laureus."

Long live King Roger the great!
Photo credit: Getty Images

Laureus Sportsman of the Year hat-trick

Tennis' number one player, Roger Federer, has set yet another record: he has now become the first athlete to win three Laureus sports awards by winning the Sportsman of the Year award for the third straight year! This latest accolade is in recognition of another successful tennis season last year when he won another three grand slams, four Masters Series titles and the season-ending Masters Cup.

I'm so glad that the sports world has continued to acknowledge Roger's achievements on the court and his dominance in the world of tennis.

Federer though must have been busy with preparations for the clay season since he was not on hand to receive the award personally. Instead German tennis great Boris Becker--who said the prophetic words about Federer way back in July 2003, "We have seen the future--it arrived today,"--accepted the award on Federer's behalf and Roger's acceptance speech was projected on the giant screen during the awards ceremony.

Another round of congratulations to the great Roger Federer!