Federer king of Laureus Awards
Formula One champions Mercedes have beaten Team New Zealand at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards on a night where Roger Federer became the event’s most decorated athlete.
Skippered by Glenn Ashby, Team New Zealand won the America’s Cup with a stunning 7-1 victory over defending champion Oracle Team USA in Bermuda last June.
However, they were pipped for the Laureus Award by Mercedes, who won a fourth consecutive constructors championship on the back of Lewis Hamilton’s success in
2017.
Other finalists in the team of the year category included the French Davis Cup tennis team, the NBA champion Golden State Warriors, the
2017 Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots and Champions League winners Real Madrid.
Ashby and Team New Zealand chief operating officer Kevin Shoebridge were in attendance at the glitzy ceremony in Monte Carlo yesterday.
Tennis players won the two major individual awards, with Serena Williams named sportswoman of the year and Federer sportsman.
Federer also won comeback of the year, in recognition of his achievements in overcoming a serious knee injury to win the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
With six gongs, the Swiss star is now the most decorated winner in the award’s history.
‘‘It was an unforgettable year for me, to come back after a very difficult 2016, and these awards just make it even more memorable. When I won my first Laureus Award back in 2005, if you had said I would have ended up winning six I would not have believed you. It’s been an amazing ride.’’