Japan’s Naomi Osaka has been named Sportswoman of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards, with fellow tennis player Rafael Nadal the men’s winner.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King received the Lifetime Achievement award.
Laureus cited the “powerful statement” made by Osaka at the US Open, where in each round she came on to court wearing a face mask bearing the name of a different African-American victim of alleged police or racist violence.
4⃣ @RafaelNadal joins @usainbolt, @DjokerNole and @kellyslater in an illustrious group of sportsmen to have received four Laureus World Sports Awards#Laureus21 pic.twitter.com/jSYKXvWEqs
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) May 6, 2021
“Regarding my activism on the court, I think it is important to use my voice, because for me I feel like I often hold back a lot and worry about what people think of me, but you know if you have a platform it is very important you use it,” said Osaka, who won the Breakthrough of the Year award in 2019.
“My main hopes for the future would be just to have helped or impacted as many people as I could and, hopefully be a better person.”
Briton Lewis Hamilton claimed the inaugural Athlete Advocate award, which has been brought in to acknowledge the wider impact on society made by athletes.
During the 2020 Formula 1 season, Hamilton took a knee on the grid and wore anti-racism slogans as he won a record-equalling seventh drivers’ title, while his Mercedes team also adopted a black livery for the campaign in a stand against discrimination.
👀 ICYMI…Here's a reminder of the 2021 Laureus World Sports Awards Winners #Laureus21
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) May 6, 2021
Liverpool and Egypt striker Mohamed Salah won the Sporting Inspiration award for “his unique contribution over many years to those in need and for those less fortunate”.
I’d like to thank everyone at the @LaureusSport Academy for this award. This year taught us a lot, and one of these things is that in the world of sport, everyone is replaceable… except the fans. #Laureus21 pic.twitter.com/3bSsjbgzsg
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) May 6, 2021
Nadal’s win was his fourth Laureus award, having previously won the Breakthrough, Comeback and main men’s awards.
Laureus award winners:
World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Naomi Osaka
World Sportsman of the Year Award: Rafael Nadal
World Team of the Year Award: Bayern Munich
World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Patrick Mahomes
World Comeback of the Year Award: Max Parrot
Sport for Good Award: Kickformore by Kickfair
Lifetime Achievement Award: Billie Jean King
Athlete Advocate of the Year Award: Lewis Hamilton
Sporting Inspiration Award: Mohamed Salah
Sporting Moment of the Year Award: Chris Nikic
