Sabalenka and Alcaraz Sweep Laureus Top Honors, Yamal and McIlroy Make History

Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz secured the top Laureus World Sports Awards as Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year, respectively. Lamine Yamal made history as the youngest athlete to win two Laureus honors, while Rory McIlroy received the Comeback of the Year Award, ending an 11-year Grand Slam drought.

The Laureus World Sports Awards annually recognize athletic excellence across various disciplines. An academy of 69 sports legends determines the winners from nominees selected by global media. The 2026 awards ceremony highlighted a year of significant achievements from its recipients.

Tennis dominated the top individual honors for the 2025 season. Carlos Alcaraz, 22, secured the World Sportsman of the Year award. He reclaimed the year-end world number one ranking in 2025, capturing two Grand Slam titles at the French Open and US Open. This performance underscored his supremacy across different court surfaces. Aryna Sabalenka, 27, earned the World Sportswoman of the Year title. Her 2025 campaign demonstrated relentless consistency, reaching the finals in both Australia and France and winning a major title in New York. Sabalenka joins an elite list of tennis recipients of this award.

Footballer Lamine Yamal, 18, achieved a historic milestone, being named the Young Sportsperson of the Year. This marks his second Laureus honor, following his Breakthrough Sportsperson award in 2025. Yamal is now the youngest athlete ever to achieve two Laureus distinctions, highlighting his rapid ascent in the sport.

Golfer Rory McIlroy claimed the World Comeback of the Year Award. He ended an 11-year wait to complete his career Grand Slam in 2025 with a playoff victory at the Masters. This triumph marked a significant return to major championship winning form.

These awards underscore individual dominance and historic achievements across tennis, football, and golf. The 2025 competitive season showcased a blend of sustained excellence, record-breaking youth performance, and significant career milestones. The consistent performances of these athletes set a high benchmark, with their future seasons poised for continued competitive scrutiny.