Most Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year awards won

Tennis player Serena Williams (USA) has won four Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year awards, in 2003, 2010, 2016 and 2018. The 23-time Grand Slam winner has also collected an unrivalled five Sportswoman of the Year nominations, in 2004, 2011 and 2013-15, and claimed Laureus’ Comeback of the Year prize in 2007.

Inaugurated in 2000, tennis players have won six Sportswoman of the Year awards in total, with 21 nominations. Jennifer Capriati (2002) and Justine Henin (2008) have also won the coveted award.

Only one person – male or female – has won more Laureus World Sports Awards trophies than Williams’ five – fellow tennis player Roger Federer, with six wins, including five Sportsman of the Year awards. Nobody can match Williams’ total of 11 nominations across all categories.

Non-tennis Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year winners include: Yelena Isinbayeva (pole vault, 2007 and 2009); Lindsey Vonn (skiing, 2011); Melissa “Missy” Franklin (swimming, 2014) and Simone Biles (gymnastics, 2017).

2018 World Sportswoman of the Year nominees (for sporting achievements in 2017): Allyson Felix (athletics); Katie Ledecky (swimming); Garbine Muguruza (tennis); Caster Semenya (athletics); Mikaela Shiffrin (skiing). NB: Williams picked up the award despite playing for just the first month of 2017, winning her 23rd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open before stepping off court to have a baby.

The 2018 ceremony was held in Monaco on 27 February 2018 and honoured sporting achievements in 2017.

The annual Laureus World Sports Awards, often referred to as the sporting equivalent of the Oscars, celebrate the achievements of athletes from across the sporting world and showcase the work of Laureus Sport for Good, a charity which “uses the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage, proving that sport can change the world”.