Tennis took center stage at the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards as Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka walked away with the biggest individual honours of the night. Held in Madrid, the ceremony once again brought together some of the biggest names across sport, but this year it was the tennis world that stole the spotlight.
Alcaraz was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after a season that reinforced his place at the top of the game. The Spaniard delivered consistently across major tournaments. Moreover, he added two Grand Slam titles to his resume and finishing the year as world No.1. He had the ability to perform under pressure and maintain a high level throughout the season. And the same made him a standout choice for the award.
On the women’s side, Aryana Sabalenka earned the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year title. This followed a year where she was one of the most dominant players on tour. Her campaign included a US Open victory along with deep runs in other Grand Slams which showed both consistency and resilience. She remained a constant presence at the top end of the rankings, which played a key role in her selection.
A big night for Carlos Alcaraz and Aryana Sabalenka
The results reflected just how strong a year it has been for tennis globally. With both top individual awards going to players from the sport, it underlined the level of competition and visibility tennis continues to hold on the world stage.
The Laureus Awards are decided by the Laureus World Sports Academy, a group made up of former sporting greats, which adds weight to the recognition. Over the years, the awards have been seen as one of the highest honours across all sports, often highlighting athletes who have defined their era.
For Alcaraz and Sabalenka, this certainly means a lot and this moment goes beyond just another trophy. This puts them in a group of athletes who have not only dominated their sport but have also stood out across the entire landscape of sports. Given where both are in their careers, this could be just another step in what are already shaping up to be remarkable journeys.