China's tennis star Li Na earns a Laureus Exceptional Achievement Award. (Photo : Reuters)
For her significant contribution in promoting sports in China, tennis icon Li Na received the Exceptional Achievement award during the 16th Laureus World Sports Awards on April 15, Wednesday.
"It's a recognition from premier world sports awards. For me, it's a fortune to choose tennis," Li remarked. The retired tennis player had her second Grand Slam title in the 2014 Australian Open.
However, the tennis star, together with archrival U.S.-based Serena Williams, did not put hands on the trophy. The honor went to Genzebe Dibaba, an Ethiopian track and field icon.
Dibaba broke 1,500-meter, 3,000-meter and two-mile records on Feb. 1, 6 and 15, respectively, making her one of the only three athletes to break world records in a half-month time during three separate events.
Li revealed that she was not aware of the Exceptional Achievement award, "so all of [her] attention was put on Sportswoman of the Year."
She added: "I wonder if I had a chance to beat Serena in this year's ceremony, especially when it's held in Shanghai."
However, Li stated that she is honored enough to be selected as a nominee for the prestigious award, knowing that "there are so many excellent athletes and only six of them can become the nominees at last."
Yao Ming, former NBA star and one of China's most notable sports icons, was handed the Spirit of Sport award. The award-giving body recognized his contribution to social welfare.
Meanwhile, the Sportsman of the Year tilt was given to Serbia's Novak Djokovic, who won his second Wimbledon in 2014, beating Switzerland's Roger Federer. The win also marks his seventh Grand Slam title.
Djokovic also grabbed his fourth season-ending win after topping the ATP World Tour Finals, making him the first player to have three year-end winning tilts in a row since Ivan Lendl (1985-1987).
"It's the most prestigious sports award without a doubt, because of the fact that it's a recognition and respect that you get from being selected as a top athlete from the members of the Sports Academy of Laureus," Djokovic told Laureus.com.
After their success in the Brazil-hosted FIFA World Cup, the German football team was able to receive the Team of the Year award.
The Breakthrough of the Year award was handed to Australian motor racer Daniel Rhicciardo, while the Comeback of the Year title was given to South Africa's rugby player Schalk Burger.
America's Tatyana McFadden, a multi-awarded wheelchair racer and a Winter Paralympic champ, won this year's Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award.
Meanwhile, skydiver Alan Eustace was lauded as the Action Sportsperson of the Year after braving to jump 135,889 feet, setting a new free fall world record.
