The Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award is widely considered the “Oscar” of the sporting world, and tennis has historically been the most dominant discipline at the ceremony. With Carlos Alcaraz’s historic win in 2026, he joins a legendary triumvirate of icons who have elevated the sport to a global pinnacle. Only four male tennis players in history have hoisted this prestigious trophy, representing the absolute peak of athletic excellence.
### The “Big Three” and the New Era
The list of winners reads like a Hall of Fame induction ceremony, dominated for two decades by the greatest to ever pick up a racket.
* **Roger Federer (5-Time Winner):** The Swiss maestro holds the record for the most wins in this category, including an unprecedented four-year streak from 2005 to 2008. He returned to the stage a decade later in 2018 to claim his fifth, cementing his status as a perennial global ambassador for the sport.
* **Novak Djokovic (5-Time Winner):** Matching Federer’s record, the Serbian legend has been a constant presence at the awards. His victories across three different decades (from 2012 to 2024) highlight a level of longevity and dominance that may never be repeated.
* **Rafael Nadal (2-Time Winner):** The “King of Clay” was recognized for his superhuman resilience and sporting spirit in 2011 and 2021. His victories underscored his ability to overcome injury and remain at the top of the world rankings.
* **Carlos Alcaraz (2026 Winner):** The newest member of this elite club, Alcaraz is the first player outside the “Big Three” to break through in over 20 years. His 2026 win marks a definitive “passing of the torch” in men’s tennis.
A Legacy of Excellence
Since the inception of the Laureus Awards in 2000, tennis has claimed the Sportsman of the Year title **13 times**. This remarkable hit rate speaks to the global impact of the sport’s leading figures, who are often judged not just on their titles, but on their character, philanthropy, and influence beyond the court.
Looking Ahead
As Alcaraz begins his own multi-award journey, the question for tennis fans is no longer whether the sport can produce Laureus-level talent, but how many more of these statues the “new gen” can collect. For now, these four men stand alone as the standard-bearers for tennis on the world’s most prestigious stage.