Tuesday night’s glittering 18th edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monte Carlo brought together some of sport’s biggest names.
The annual ceremony has grown in stature over the years, with Laureus trophies becoming as prestigious as they come.
Here, in no particular order and regardless of how many tournament victories, we look back at 10 previous winners…
We kick things off with tennis and the Laureus World Sportsman champions…
ROGER FEDERER
Winner between 2005-08 and 2018
Now with five Laureus trophies on his mantelpiece, the Swiss has well and truly enjoyed a golden autumn to a stellar career which has seen him reach 20 Grand Slam titles and return to No1.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Winner in 2012, 2015 and 2016
A three-time champion, the Serb’s historic 2015 campaign and first-half to the 2016 ATP World Tour season saw him hold all four majors simultaneously for the first time since Rod Laver did it in 1969.
TIGER WOODS
Winner in 2000 and 2001
Golf’s biggest name won the first two editions of the glittering awards, with the American claiming a historic three major titles back in 2000 and amazing the sporting world.
USAIN BOLT
Winner in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2017
The Jamaica sprint star is a four-time recipient of the award, with only Federer ahead of him in the all-time charts. Bolt’s victories have all come after his Olympic triumphs in Beijing, London and Rio.
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
Winner in 2002 and 2004
Arguably the greatest-ever Formula One driver, the German won twice in the early 2000s following his World Championship triumphs in 2001 and 2003. Sadly, the 49-year-old is away from public life now following his 2013 ski accident.
SERENA WILLIAMS
Winner in 2003, 2010, 2016 and 2018
The 23-time Grand Slam champion is the best decorated female, having triumphed four times. Her best year was arguably in 2015 when the American won three out of four majors.
LINDSEY VONN
Winner in 2011
The most famous skier on the planet triumphed off the back of her downhill gold at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and her third of four World Cup championship triumphs that same year.
JESSICA ENNIS-HILL
Winner in 2013
The Briton dealt with the weight of a country’s expectation on her shoulders when she won heptathlon gold at the London 2012 Olympics. That success made her the poster girl for athletics.
SIMONE BILES
Winner in 2017
The American gymnast won four golds at Rio 2016 – a record in one Games for her sport – adding to her 10 World Championship first place finishes.
YELENA ISINBAYEVA
Winner in 2007 and 2009
Widely considered as the greatest pole vaulter of all-time, the Russian has been recognised twice by Laureus. A two-time Olympic champion, she is a popular member of the the sporting charity’s roll call.