ST. PETERSBURG, Russia. — World tennis No. 1 Roger Federer
won the prestigious Laureus Sportsman of the Year award for a record fourth year
in a row on Monday.
Fellow tennis No. 1 Justine Henin was named the top
Sportswoman for the first time, ahead of last year’s winner, Russia’s world and
Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva.
Lewis Hamilton took the Breakthrough of the Year award for
his remarkable debut season in Formula One with McLaren while a fellow Briton,
long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe, was named the Comeback Athlete of the
Year.
Rugby world champions South Africa won the Team of the Year
award and Sergei Bubka, the Ukrainian pole vaulter, received the Lifetime
Achievement award.
The winners were announced at a gala ceremony attended by
Russian President Vladimir Putin at St. Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre.
Federer once again had a fantastic year in 2007, capturing
three out of the four grand slam titles for the third successive season.
"I have to thank all the voters who didn’t think three (Laureus
awards) would be enough," said the Swiss, who beat a strong field including
golfer Tiger Woods, Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen and FIFA World Player of
the Year Kaka.
Federer said his first award was the most cherished.
"Every year it feels great but I have to say the first one
was the most important for me," he said.
"It was very important to say that Roger Federer has
arrived."
Asked if he would finally give someone else a chance to win the award next
year, Federer said: "No, I would like to win it again next year to have five in
a row. I have five (successive) Wimbledon titles so it would be great to have
five Laureus."
