World No.1 Novak Djokovic was named the 2016 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for the second year in a row. He was on hand in Berlin to accept his award, dedicating it to Formula One driver Niki Lauda and footballer Johan Cruyff.
Djokovic beat off fellow star athletes Stephen Curry, Lewis Hamilton, Usain Bolt, Jordan Spieth and Lionel Messi for the award.
“He had a great year again,” said Djokovic’s coach Boris Becker, a Laureus Academy member. “He’s played 88 matches, has won 82, He won three out of the four Grand Slams, reached the final of the French Open, the’s won seven other tournaments. Very few players, if any, had a year like that.” Djokovic also earned Sportsman of the Year honours in 2012, following in the footsteps of Rafael Nadal (2011) and four-time winner Roger Federer (2005-08).