Rafael Nadal wins Laureus Comeback Award
March 26, 2014
Tennis legend Rafa Nadal is celebrating once again after winning Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award at the Ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
In a thrilling evening for Spanish sport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Rafael Nadal won his third Laureus Statuette after securing the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award, while Marc Márquez, at just 20, was presented with the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award, after becoming the youngest ever winner of the World MotoGP Championship.
Nadal returned after a seven month absence with a knee injury to produce one of his finest ever years, winning the French Open for a record eighth time and confirming his position as probably the greatest clay court player in history. He also won the US Open to take him to a career total of 13 Grand Slams, just four behind Roger Federer. He regained his No 1 world ranking and also won five ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in 2013.
After receiving his Award, Nadal said: “I would like to thank all the Academy Members for voting for me for this Award. It means a lot to me, especially as I know how tough the competition was. This Award is very special because the year before I came back on court was very hard with my injury. I never thought that I would have the chance to be back as I did. So this Laureus means a lot to me, probably more than any other.”
Nadal has now won three different Laureus World Sports Awards – the Laureus Breakthrough Award in 2006, the Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award in 2011 and now the Laureus Comeback of the Year Award.
The Awards were announced in seven categories. The winners are:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year: Sebastian Vettel
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year: Missy Franklin
Laureus World Team of the Year: Bayern Munich
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year: Marc Márquez
Laureus World Comeback of the Year: Rafael Nadal
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Marie Bochet
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Jamie Bestwick
