Tennis heavyweights Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams have capped off 2018 by winning two separate awards that acknowledge their achievements in sport over the past 12 months.
World No.1 Djokovic has been named European Sportsperson of the Year by the Polish Press Agency (PAP). The award is given to the athlete that has scored the highest in the voting process, which involves 23 European news agencies. Some of those involve include AFP (France), EFE (Spain) and DPA (Germany).
During 2018 Djokovic became the first player in history to reach No.1 after being ranked outside the top 20 within the same season. After missing six months of the tour last year due to an elbow injury, the Serbian endured a lacklustre start to the season by winning six out of his first 12 matches. Despite the slow start, Djokovic managed to find his footing to dominate the second half of the year. Winning both Wimbledon and the US Open, as well as two Masters 1000 trophies. Overall, he has won 53 out of 65 matches played.
“Overall it was a phenomenal season that I have to be definitely very proud of.” Djokovic said following the conclusion of the ATP Finals in November.
In the poll, the 31-year-old scored 145 points to finish at the top. His nearest challenge came from Croatian footballer Luca Modric, who registered 132 points. Also in the top five this year is F1 driver Lewis Hamilton (114 points), Olympic skier and snowboarder Ester Ledecka (74 points) and biathlete Martin Fourcade (69 points).
Each participating news agency lists their top 10 athletes with 10 points going to the person in first place. Djokovic was included in 21 out of the 23 lists compiled. Coming first three times, second four times and third four times.
Further down the field, Simona Halep finished in 10th place with 39 points. Halep, who is the current women’s world No.1, won her maiden grand slam title at the French Open earlier this year.
It is the third time Djokovic has won the award after also triumphing in 2011 and 2015. Rival Roger Federer holds the all-time record of most wins with five (2004-2007 and 2009).
Serena tops AP poll
In North America 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams was voted female athlete of the year by the Associated Press. Despite not winning a title on the tour this year, Williams came out on top with 93 points ahead of gymnast Simone Biles. The ballot is conducted among American news editors and directors.
Williams returned to the WTA Tour in March after taking time away from the sport to give birth to her first child. During her absence, the 37-year-old experienced a series of health issues. Including a pulmonary embolism (blocked vessel in her lung), the stitching from the c-section opening back up and a hematoma (swelling of clotted blood) in her abdomen.
On the court, Williams won 18 out of 24 matches played in seven tournaments. Her best results occurred in the majors where she reached the final at Wimbledon (losing to Angelique Kerber) and the US Open (losing to Naomi Osaka).
“Honestly, I cannot believe the year I had,” Williams told The National.
“I have to say I always expect the best from myself, but reaching two grand slam finals back to back was beyond my expectations.
“It truly makes me excited for what’s ahead in 2019.”
It is the fifth time Williams has been named AP Female Athlete Of The Year. She was also issued with the honour in 2002, 2009, 2013 and 2015 for her dominance in the sport. Only sporting legend Babe Didrikson Zaharias has won the title most with six to her name. Zaharias won three Olympic medals in athletics before winning 10 LPGA titles in golf between 1932-1954.
Both Djokovic and Williams will return to action later this week to play at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition in the United Arab Emirates.