February 18, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) -- Roger Federer won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award for a fourth straight time Monday, and Justine Henin won the women's award for the first time.
Federer won his fifth straight Wimbledon title last season to equal Bjorn Borg's record.
"I am thankful the jury didn't think three was enough," Federer said.
Henin, meanwhile, became the first tennis player to win 10 titles in a season since Martina Hingis 10 years ago despite skipping the 2007 Australian Open after splitting with her husband.
"It was a tough year personally," Henin said. "Big issues, but I kept fighting and it has been the best season of my career so far."
The winners were selected by members of the Laureus Sports Academy.
Other winners included Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton for the World Breakthrough of the Year award and British marathon runner Paula Radcliffe for the World Comeback of the Year award.
Hamilton finished second in the F1 drivers' standings in his rookie season.
"I don't think I deserved it as much as some of the other nominees and I hope I can keep my country proud and do well in the future," the 22-year-old Hamilton said. "I'm approaching the season with the same determination and I want to push harder."
Radcliffe won the New York Marathon after two years away from competition following childbirth.
"Paula is renowned as a great fighter," Laureus World Sports Academy chairman Edwin Moses said. "When someone is out of running for two years when they are in their 30s you do wonder if they are going to be able to come back as fit and as strong, but Paula certainly showed she was when she won in New York.
"I wish her all the best for the Beijing Olympics."
South Africa's rugby team won the World Team of the Year award after going unbeaten to win the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) -- Roger Federer won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award for a fourth straight time Monday, and Justine Henin won the women's award for the first time.
Federer won his fifth straight Wimbledon title last season to equal Bjorn Borg's record.
"I am thankful the jury didn't think three was enough," Federer said.
Henin, meanwhile, became the first tennis player to win 10 titles in a season since Martina Hingis 10 years ago despite skipping the 2007 Australian Open after splitting with her husband.
"It was a tough year personally," Henin said. "Big issues, but I kept fighting and it has been the best season of my career so far."
The winners were selected by members of the Laureus Sports Academy.
Other winners included Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton for the World Breakthrough of the Year award and British marathon runner Paula Radcliffe for the World Comeback of the Year award.
Hamilton finished second in the F1 drivers' standings in his rookie season.
"I don't think I deserved it as much as some of the other nominees and I hope I can keep my country proud and do well in the future," the 22-year-old Hamilton said. "I'm approaching the season with the same determination and I want to push harder."
Radcliffe won the New York Marathon after two years away from competition following childbirth.
"Paula is renowned as a great fighter," Laureus World Sports Academy chairman Edwin Moses said. "When someone is out of running for two years when they are in their 30s you do wonder if they are going to be able to come back as fit and as strong, but Paula certainly showed she was when she won in New York.
"I wish her all the best for the Beijing Olympics."
South Africa's rugby team won the World Team of the Year award after going unbeaten to win the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
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