THE AWARD WINNERS:

winner of 15 Grand Slam titles said how “inner engineering” helped him come back stronger in the last 15 months. Djokovic disclosed his wife’s support that helped him overcome doubts. The Serbian reportedly follows Buddhist meditation methods.

“I had lost balance. It took me several months to find my purpose. Look inside when you face a challenge. I now know where to find strength and motivation,” said Djokovic to draw curtains on a lovely evening that highlighted what keeps the real champions going. Novak Djokovic (tennis, Serbia) Simone Biles (gymnastics, US)

Naomi Osaka (tennis, Japan) Tiger Woods (golf, US)

France FIFA World Cup-winning team

Chloe Kim (snowboarding, US)

Henrieta Farkasova (Alpine skier, Slovakia) and her guide Natalia Subrtova

Eliud Kipchoge (marathon, Kenya)

Lindsey Vonn (skiing, US) (India)

Xia Boyu (mountaineer, China)

Arsene Wenger (football, France) Yuwa

AP Laureus Sportswoman of the Year, gymnast Simone Biles. Action Sportsperson of the Year: Sportsperson of the Year with a disability: Exceptional Achievement Award:Spirit of Sport: Sporting Moment of the Year: Lifetime Achievement:Sport for Good:

Best Sportsperson: Best Sportswoman: Breakthrough of the Year: Comeback of the Year: Team of the Year: