'It's a great honour': Novak Djokovic named Sportsman of the Year

Thank you so much. It’s a great honour again to be a winner of this very prestigious award. Laureus Organization was founded 25 years ago on the premise and with the mission that sports has the power to change the world. Johann Rupert, Nelson Mandela combined believed in that mission and believed in that, in that phrase in in the power and the values that sports stands for. So of course it is completely different kind of award from any other award that I have been receiving in my in my career because the award for the best athlete or any other award really tonight is been voted from Academy members. There’s I think 68 or 69 Academy members, all legends of their respective sports champions that really understand what it takes to master your craft or to achieve certain great heights in your, in your sport. So that’s even a greater honour. I was, when I was speaking on the stage, I was trying not to look at the tables and make eye contact with the, with the these legends because I, I was too nervous. But yeah, it’s, it’s really amazing feeling. And even though I want it for the fifth time, I still feel like it’s, it’s the first time. So I’m very, very touched and, and very honoured. We’re going to open it now to the floor. So please raise your hand. Lots of questions. Let’s begin here with the first row, please. Is it great, Jose? Miguel Marquez for El Gen. Nacional Novak, Hello. Congrats for your new award. In your opinion, how is your legacy to young people in and out of the court? Thank you. Well, I thank you for the question. I want to believe and I hope that I am creating my legacy in a positive way that I’m impacting young people around the world in a positive way, in a way that inspires them not only to take the tennis racket, but whatever they do, whether it’s sports or anything, that they’re really part of that, you know, my success or my life or my personality is able to inspire them to motivate them to choose the positive direction in life. And, you know, tonight I was listening to to so many inspiring athletes that I look up to and, and one of the things that really stuck with me is, you know, how many young people through sport have been impacted by Dolores organization? It’s over 7 million people, young people around the world. So, you know, mostly, mostly the kids that are affected in a negative way on the streets, you know, that have different challenges, violence and sport has given them another opportunity is giving them a way to really go against those social challenges and ills that the street represents. So sport really unifies, sport sends the message of peace, respect and that’s, that’s what all of us, you know, that are part of the sport we really want. Ultimately, of course, you want to win awards. You want to create your own story, your own legacy.