Laureus Awards: The jewel of South American tennis that will compete alongside Champions, F1 and NBA champions

ByDavid Mitchell
Copiar enlace

Beyond the nominations of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for best athlete at the 2026 Laureus Awardsthere is a revelation that comes from South America: Joao Fonseca.

Winning his first ATP titles (Basel level 500 and Buenos Aires 250) and entering the Top 30 of the ranking, he entered the second round of the US Open with the best result in a Slam and raised sighs as soon as the tournament was presented. The South American jewel will compete in the awards gala that will be presented in Madrid, for the third consecutive time, on April 20 alongside Champions League, Formula 1 and NBA champions.

one is Désiré Doué, footballer for PSG and the French national football team, who at the end of 2025 won the Golden Boy Award, Best Young Player of the FIFA Club World Cup, Best Young Player of the UEFA Champions League and the final vs. Inter.

another is Lando Norris, current Formula 1 world champion, which was consecrated last season after an intense battle against Max Verstappen. The British McLaren driver achieved his first drivers’ title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The other standout is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a Canadian basketball player who belongs to the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

WORLD REVELATION OF THE YEAR

Désiré Doué (France): He scored twice for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final and came second in voting for the 2025 FIFA Kopa Trophy.

João Fonseca (Brazil): He debuted in all four Grand Slam tournaments. He reached the third round of Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada): He became the fourth player in basketball history to win the NBA regular season MVP, Finals MVP and top scorer title in the same season.

Luke Littler (UK): He is the youngest champion in the history of the PDC World Darts (darts), completing the Triple Crown in his career.

Lando Norris (United Kingdom): won his first Formula 1 world drivers’ title in the final race of the season.

Yu Zidi (China): She is the youngest medalist in history at the Swimming World Cups, at only 12 years old.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.