Novak Djokovic Named World's Best Athlete of 2023 by L'Équipe
In a stunning recognition of his exemplary performance in tennis, Novak Djokovic has been honored as the world's best athlete for the year 2023 by the French sports newspaper "L'Équipe".
Riley Harper
- 2023-12-28
- Updated 04:43 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - The Serbian tennis powerhouse clinched the title with a resounding 876 points, landing at the summit ahead of distinguished athletes from various sports disciplines. Djokovic's year was marked by extraordinary success, which included lifting seven trophies across significant tournaments. Notable among his victories were three of the four tennis Grand Slams — the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and the US Open. His consistent performances earned him the distinction of ending the season as the top player in the ATP rankings, a feat he achieved for the eighth time in his illustrious career.
Exceptional Athletic Achievements
Djokovic's relentless pursuit of excellence saw him reach the final at Wimbledon and winning the Final Masters in Turin. These achievements have further solidified his status in the world of tennis, now with a career total of 24 Grand Slam titles. The decoration by "L'Équipe" as the best athlete in the world isn't a first for Djokovic; he was previously bestowed with the same honor in the year 2021. This recognition echoes his sustained dominance and influence in the sport.
French swimmer Leon Marchand came in second place with 361 points, followed by Dutch Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen who rounded out the top three. On the women's side, American gymnast Simone Biles was named the world's best female athlete of the year, scoring an impressive 812 points, with skier Mikaela Shiffrin and swimmer Katie Ledecky claiming the second and third spots respectively.
Admiration for Athletic Excellence
The announcement from "L'Équipe" not only celebrates the individual triumphs of these athletes but also underscores their contributions to the global sporting narrative. As sports fans across the world hail their favorite stars, Djokovic's crowning adds another chapter to his already remarkable career, reminding us of the relentless spirit and dedication embodied by top-tier athletes.
