×
Laureus Awards — Alcaraz, Sabalenka bag top honours; Yamal, Kroos also awarded  Tennis ruled the red carpet in Madrid on Monday as Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz were ​crowned Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus Awards.The ‌pair were honoured after glittering 2025 campaigns that saw them ​finish atop the women’s and men’s tennis rankings ⁠respectively.Spaniard Alcaraz, 22, reclaimed the year-end world number one spot after capturing two Grand Slam titles at the French Open and U.S. Open, underlining ‌his supremacy across surfaces.Belarusian Sabalenka, 27, meanwhile, stood alongside him in the winners’ circle in New York and also ‌reached the final in Australia and France, capping a ‌season ⁠of relentless consistency.
Full list of winners at Laureus Awards 2026:

Winners: World Sportsman of the Year Award: Carlos Alcaraz

World Sportswoman ​of the Year Award: Aryna

World Team of the Year Award: Paris St Germain

World Breakthrough of the ⁠Year Award: Lando Norris

World Comeback of the Year Award: Rory ⁠McIlroy

World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Gabriel Araujo

World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award: ‌Chloe Kim

World Young Sportsperson of the Year Award: Lamine Yamal

Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award: Toni Kroos

Laureus Lifetime Achievement ​Award: Nadia Comaneci

Laureus Sport for Good Award: Futbol Mas
With her triumph, Sabalenka joinED a roll ⁠call of Laureus Sportswoman of the Year recipients from her sport including Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka.In a first for the awards, ​the ceremony was hosted ‌by two athletes — both former Laureus winners — Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu. Last year’s top honours went to gymnast Simone Biles and pole-vaulter Mondo Duplantis.MCILROY TAKES COMEBACK PRIZEElsewhere, Rory McIlroy claimed ‌the World Comeback of the Year Award after ending an ​11-year wait to complete the career Grand Slam with a playoff victory at the 2025 Masters, a ⁠title he defended in 2026.Formula One’s Lando Norris was named World Breakthrough of the Year, while Paris St Germain took World Team ‌of the Year after a trophy haul in 2025 that included the French league and Cup plus their first Champions League crown.The Laureus World Sports Awards nominees are selected by the global media, while the winners are determined by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.The awards have been presented annually since ‌2000.Published on Apr 21, 2026  #Laureus #Awards #Alcaraz #Sabalenka #bag #top #honours #Yamal #Kroos #awarded

Laureus Awards — Alcaraz, Sabalenka bag top honours; Yamal, Kroos also awarded

Tennis ruled the red carpet in Madrid on Monday as Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz were ​crowned Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus Awards.

The ‌pair were honoured after glittering 2025 campaigns that saw them ​finish atop the women’s and men’s tennis rankings ⁠respectively.

Spaniard Alcaraz, 22, reclaimed the year-end world number one spot after capturing two Grand Slam titles at the French Open and U.S. Open, underlining ‌his supremacy across surfaces.

Belarusian Sabalenka, 27, meanwhile, stood alongside him in the winners’ circle in New York and also ‌reached the final in Australia and France, capping a ‌season ⁠of relentless consistency.

Full list of winners at Laureus Awards 2026:

Winners: World Sportsman of the Year Award: Carlos Alcaraz

World Sportswoman ​of the Year Award: Aryna

World Team of the Year Award: Paris St Germain

World Breakthrough of the ⁠Year Award: Lando Norris

World Comeback of the Year Award: Rory ⁠McIlroy

World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Gabriel Araujo

World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award: ‌Chloe Kim

World Young Sportsperson of the Year Award: Lamine Yamal

Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award: Toni Kroos

Laureus Lifetime Achievement ​Award: Nadia Comaneci

Laureus Sport for Good Award: Futbol Mas

With her triumph, Sabalenka joinED a roll ⁠call of Laureus Sportswoman of the Year recipients from her sport including Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka.

In a first for the awards, ​the ceremony was hosted ‌by two athletes — both former Laureus winners — Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu. Last year’s top honours went to gymnast Simone Biles and pole-vaulter Mondo Duplantis.

MCILROY TAKES COMEBACK PRIZE

Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy claimed ‌the World Comeback of the Year Award after ending an ​11-year wait to complete the career Grand Slam with a playoff victory at the 2025 Masters, a ⁠title he defended in 2026.

Formula One’s Lando Norris was named World Breakthrough of the Year, while Paris St Germain took World Team ‌of the Year after a trophy haul in 2025 that included the French league and Cup plus their first Champions League crown.

The Laureus World Sports Awards nominees are selected by the global media, while the winners are determined by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

The awards have been presented annually since ‌2000.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#Laureus #Awards #Alcaraz #Sabalenka #bag #top #honours #Yamal #Kroos #awarded

Tennis ruled the red carpet in Madrid on Monday as Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz were ​crowned Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus Awards.

The ‌pair were honoured after glittering 2025 campaigns that saw them ​finish atop the women’s and men’s tennis rankings ⁠respectively.

Spaniard Alcaraz, 22, reclaimed the year-end world number one spot after capturing two Grand Slam titles at the French Open and U.S. Open, underlining ‌his supremacy across surfaces.

Belarusian Sabalenka, 27, meanwhile, stood alongside him in the winners’ circle in New York and also ‌reached the final in Australia and France, capping a ‌season ⁠of relentless consistency.

Full list of winners at Laureus Awards 2026:

Winners: World Sportsman of the Year Award: Carlos Alcaraz

World Sportswoman ​of the Year Award: Aryna

World Team of the Year Award: Paris St Germain

World Breakthrough of the ⁠Year Award: Lando Norris

World Comeback of the Year Award: Rory ⁠McIlroy

World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Gabriel Araujo

World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award: ‌Chloe Kim

World Young Sportsperson of the Year Award: Lamine Yamal

Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award: Toni Kroos

Laureus Lifetime Achievement ​Award: Nadia Comaneci

Laureus Sport for Good Award: Futbol Mas

With her triumph, Sabalenka joinED a roll ⁠call of Laureus Sportswoman of the Year recipients from her sport including Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka.

In a first for the awards, ​the ceremony was hosted ‌by two athletes — both former Laureus winners — Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu. Last year’s top honours went to gymnast Simone Biles and pole-vaulter Mondo Duplantis.

MCILROY TAKES COMEBACK PRIZE

Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy claimed ‌the World Comeback of the Year Award after ending an ​11-year wait to complete the career Grand Slam with a playoff victory at the 2025 Masters, a ⁠title he defended in 2026.

Formula One’s Lando Norris was named World Breakthrough of the Year, while Paris St Germain took World Team ‌of the Year after a trophy haul in 2025 that included the French league and Cup plus their first Champions League crown.

The Laureus World Sports Awards nominees are selected by the global media, while the winners are determined by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

The awards have been presented annually since ‌2000.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

Source link
#Laureus #Awards #Alcaraz #Sabalenka #bag #top #honours #Yamal #Kroos #awarded

Previous post

Deadspin | Mitch Keller directs Pirates over Rays to clinch series win <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28767056.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28767056.jpg" alt="MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Pittsburgh Pirates" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 19, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (6) tags Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) out at second base on a steal attempt during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Mitch Keller pitched seven strong innings, allowing two runs to help the host Pittsburgh Pirates score a 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Coming off a 13-inning loss on Saturday where Pittsburgh used six relievers, Keller (2-1) preserved some arms for the Pirates bullpen and helped his team take two of three games against the Rays, who entered the series having won six in a row.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Bryan Reynolds backed up the pitching with two hits and three RBI to lead Pittsburgh’s bats, while Spencer Horwitz and Nick Yorke each hit solo home runs.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Nick Gonzales had two hits and an RBI, and Jake Mangum had two hits and a run. The Pirates did it with the long ball and small ball as they recorded three bunt singles in a game for the first time since 1998.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-5"> <p>After picking up his first win in three years in his previous start, Rays starter Shane McClanahan (1-2) was unable to follow up that success, nor spare Tampa Bay’s own taxed bullpen a day after it used seven relievers. He allowed four runs on eight hits and struck out five over 4 1/3 innings on 90 pitches.</p> </section> <section id="section-6"> <p>Keller picked up his second win in his fifth start of the season after not doing so last season until his 17th start. He struck out five and gave up five hits and did not issue a walk on 89 pitches.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>The Rays took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth on a two-run single by Hunter Feduccia off Keller, which was one of Tampa Bay’s six hits overall. Jonny DeLuca followed a Richie Palacios double and then stole second to set up Feduccia’s go-ahead hit.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>The Pirates answered immediately when Joey Bart doubled and Billy Cook followed with a bunt single and stole second. Two batters later, Gonzales singled to drive in Bart, and Reynolds followed with a two-run single to put Pittsburgh ahead 4-2.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Right-hander Wilber Dotel was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis and made his major league debut in the ninth. He allowed a solo home run to Junior Caminero. Then, he struck out Jonathan Aranda, and retired Yandy Diaz on a ground out and Cedric Mullins on a fly ball to center. The Pirates optioned reliever Cam Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-10"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Mitch #Keller #directs #Pirates #Rays #clinch #series #win

Next post

Deadspin | Leon Draisaitl set to return as Oilers battle Ducks <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28458023.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28458023.jpg" alt="NHL: Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 10, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) before the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The Edmonton Oilers could be getting Leon Draisaitl back at just the right time.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Draisaitl practiced for a second straight day on Sunday heading into Game 1 of the Western Conference first-round series against the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Monday night.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Draisaitl sustained a lower-body injury against the Nashville Predators on March 15 and missed the last 14 games of the regular season.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Draisaitl was well on his way to securing his fifth straight 100-point season before finishing with 97 points (35 goals, 62 assists) in 65 games.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Draisaitl centered a line with Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen on Sunday, and was also on the first power-play unit.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“We’ll see how it feels (on Monday), and then, yeah, we’ll make a call from there,” Draisaitl said. “There’s lots of things that go into it. Again, it’s going to take a little bit of time, but I’m going to find my ways to contribute and try to get to my best as quick as I can.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>The Oilers took two out of three against the Ducks in the regular season.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>They combined for 11 goals in each of the first two meetings before the Oilers won 4-2 on March 28 in Edmonton. The victory came in the middle of a five-game winning streak that helped the Oilers leapfrog the Ducks for second place in the Pacific Division and earn them home-ice advantage for the series.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>“The push we had the last month or so, we’ve played a lot better,” Edmonton defenseman Mattias Ekholm said. “We had some big guys go down, and guys come in and fill those spots. The guys in here feel as good as they have all year, going into the playoffs, which absolutely can help our group.”</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>The Oilers are aware the Ducks have solid goaltending and high-end skill up front that prefers to to play at a fast pace.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“That’s not how we want to play,” Edmonton center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said. “We want to play tight defensively, and make things really difficult for them and wait for our chances.”</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>While the Ducks haven’t been to the playoffs in eight years, they do have several veterans with playoff experience.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Alex Killorn won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020-21, John Carlson lifted the Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018, Chris Kreider played in the Stanley Cup Finals with the New York Rangers in 2014, Mikael Granlund advanced to the Western Conference finals with the Dallas Stars last season, and Jacob Trouba has appeared in 73 playoff games during his career.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>And then there’s coach Joel Quenneville, who guided the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup titles from 2010-15.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>“He calms you a little bit knowing he’s been there, and you can just see it on his face,” Ducks forward Troy Terry said. “He’s won a lot of hockey games, a lot of playoff hockey games. He’s won Cups, and just to see his excitement (at practice on Saturday). Like, you can tell. It’s like Christmas to him, just being able to game plan for one team and just the whole playoff format and the atmosphere. And just seeing him excited, it just shows you how this is what you really play hockey for.”</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Quenneville said he gets the most excited for the first game of the season and the first playoff game.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>“The best part of winning the Cup is trying to win the Cup, so that starts when they drop the puck on the first game,” Quenneville said.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-18"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Leon #Draisaitl #set #return #Oilers #battle #Ducks

Young Mumbai Indians pacer Ashwani Kumar said he worked diligently on his yorkers and swing while waiting patiently for an opportunity, making the most of it with a four-wicket haul against Gujarat Titans.

After Tilak Varma’s 101 off 45 balls powered Mumbai Indians to 199 for 5, Ashwani, playing his first game of the season, returned figures of four for 24 as the visitors bowled out Gujarat Titans for 100 in 15.5 overs.

“I was working on my yorker, on my swing. I was just waiting. Whenever I got a chance, I would do well. Otherwise, I was going to the temple. That’s all I was doing,” the 24-year-old said during the post-match press conference.

“I had seen the batters before, how they play, but when I went in and saw them, I did what the wicket demanded. We discussed it with the captain and tried to execute accordingly.

“It’s a black-soil pitch, so we knew the ball would keep a bit low. In the first innings, the ball was moving a bit here and there. So our plan was to hit the right lengths and bowl according to what the surface demanded.”

With the 99-run victory, Mumbai Indians snapped a four-match losing streak to climb to seventh place in the standings.

“We were looking at the mistakes we had made and followed what the coaches were telling us,” Ashwani said. “Our mindset was not low, even though we were losing. The team remained very positive, even during that phase.”

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#working #yorker #swing #pacer #Ashwani #fourwicket #haul">I was working on my yorker, swing: MI pacer Ashwani after four-wicket haul  Young Mumbai Indians pacer Ashwani Kumar said he worked diligently on his yorkers and swing while waiting patiently for an opportunity, making the most of it with a four-wicket haul against Gujarat Titans.After Tilak Varma’s 101 off 45 balls powered Mumbai Indians to 199 for 5, Ashwani, playing his first game of the season, returned figures of four for 24 as the visitors bowled out Gujarat Titans for 100 in 15.5 overs.“I was working on my yorker, on my swing. I was just waiting. Whenever I got a chance, I would do well. Otherwise, I was going to the temple. That’s all I was doing,” the 24-year-old said during the post-match press conference.“I had seen the batters before, how they play, but when I went in and saw them, I did what the wicket demanded. We discussed it with the captain and tried to execute accordingly.“It’s a black-soil pitch, so we knew the ball would keep a bit low. In the first innings, the ball was moving a bit here and there. So our plan was to hit the right lengths and bowl according to what the surface demanded.”With the 99-run victory, Mumbai Indians snapped a four-match losing streak to climb to seventh place in the standings.“We were looking at the mistakes we had made and followed what the coaches were telling us,” Ashwani said. “Our mindset was not low, even though we were losing. The team remained very positive, even during that phase.”Published on Apr 21, 2026  #working #yorker #swing #pacer #Ashwani #fourwicket #haul

Deadspin | Longtime Raiders LB Rod Martin dies at 72  Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Linebacker Rod Martin, who spent his entire 12-year NFL career with the Raiders and was part of two Super Bowl championships, died at age 72, the team announced on Monday.  No cause of death was stated.  Martin might be best remembered for his performance in Oakland’s title-winning victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 25, 1981, when he grabbed a still-standing Super Bowl-record three interceptions.  The Raiders moved to Los Angeles ahead of the 1982 season, and they won another Super Bowl title to conclude the 1983 campaign. Martin had five tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in his team’s 38-9 rout of Washington on Jan. 22, 1984.   Martin was Oakland’s 12th-round pick out of the University of Southern California in 1977. After appearing in just one game as a rookie, Martin became a mainstay in the Raiders’ lineup, starting 147 of his 165 career games.  He made the Pro Bowl after 1983 and 1984 seasons, and he was selected first-time All-Pro in 1984, when he had career highs of 11 sacks and three forced fumbles.  Martin wound up credited with 14 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and 56.5 sacks, though sacks weren’t compiled as an official stat until 1982.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Longtime #Raiders #Rod #Martin #diesAug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Linebacker Rod Martin, who spent his entire 12-year NFL career with the Raiders and was part of two Super Bowl championships, died at age 72, the team announced on Monday.

No cause of death was stated.

Martin might be best remembered for his performance in Oakland’s title-winning victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 25, 1981, when he grabbed a still-standing Super Bowl-record three interceptions.


The Raiders moved to Los Angeles ahead of the 1982 season, and they won another Super Bowl title to conclude the 1983 campaign. Martin had five tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in his team’s 38-9 rout of Washington on Jan. 22, 1984.

Martin was Oakland’s 12th-round pick out of the University of Southern California in 1977. After appearing in just one game as a rookie, Martin became a mainstay in the Raiders’ lineup, starting 147 of his 165 career games.

He made the Pro Bowl after 1983 and 1984 seasons, and he was selected first-time All-Pro in 1984, when he had career highs of 11 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Martin wound up credited with 14 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and 56.5 sacks, though sacks weren’t compiled as an official stat until 1982.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Longtime #Raiders #Rod #Martin #dies">Deadspin | Longtime Raiders LB Rod Martin dies at 72  Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Linebacker Rod Martin, who spent his entire 12-year NFL career with the Raiders and was part of two Super Bowl championships, died at age 72, the team announced on Monday.  No cause of death was stated.  Martin might be best remembered for his performance in Oakland’s title-winning victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 25, 1981, when he grabbed a still-standing Super Bowl-record three interceptions.  The Raiders moved to Los Angeles ahead of the 1982 season, and they won another Super Bowl title to conclude the 1983 campaign. Martin had five tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in his team’s 38-9 rout of Washington on Jan. 22, 1984.   Martin was Oakland’s 12th-round pick out of the University of Southern California in 1977. After appearing in just one game as a rookie, Martin became a mainstay in the Raiders’ lineup, starting 147 of his 165 career games.  He made the Pro Bowl after 1983 and 1984 seasons, and he was selected first-time All-Pro in 1984, when he had career highs of 11 sacks and three forced fumbles.  Martin wound up credited with 14 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and 56.5 sacks, though sacks weren’t compiled as an official stat until 1982.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Longtime #Raiders #Rod #Martin #dies

Post Comment