Switzerland's Roger Federer smiles during a news conference at the Pacific Life Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California March 9, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
MADRID, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Tennis number one Roger Federer was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for the third year in a row on Monday.
The 25-year-old Swiss became the first sportsman to receive the award on three occasions attributed to his continued domination of men's tennis in 2006.
Russia's record-breaking pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva won the award for World Sportswoman of the Year, while the team of the year award went to the Italian football side for their World Cup triumph.
Serena Williams took the comeback of the year award and the breakthrough prize went to fellow tennis player Amelie Mauresmo of France following her first two grand slam titles.
Barcelona Football Club were given the Spirit of Sport award for their support of UNICEF and former Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer, who led his side to victory in the 1974 World Cup and was involved in organizing the 2006 tournament, took the lifetime achievement award.
Federer, who has finished as world number one in each of the three years he has won the award and chalked up three grand slam titles for the second time in three years, was unable to attend the ceremony. His award was picked up by German former world number one and six times grand slam winner Boris Becker.
Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Guillermo Canas of Argentina at the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Miami March 27, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Switzerland's Roger Federer smiles during a news conference at the Pacific Life Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California March 9, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
WASHINGTON, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Swiss Roger Federer won four ATP awards on Monday, only one for his tennis.
Federer received the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award for his charity and volunteer work in 2006. He received the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award, chosen by players, and was voted the fans' favorite for the fourth consecutive year. Full text
BEIJING, March 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Two usually dominant athletes who crashed and burned in their most recent competition got together in Florida Wednesday where tennis great Roger Federer sneaked inside the gallery ropes to join Tiger Woods during a practice round for the WGC-CA Championship at the Doral Resort. Full text
Print
