The 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards are underway, with Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and other tennis stars making their way to Palacio de Cibeles (Cibeles Palace) in Madrid, Spain, for the prestigious event.
Several tennis players, including World No. 1s Sabalenka and Sinner, enjoyed nominations in multiple categories this year.
Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner Show Up
The 2026 Awards, scheduled for Monday, April 20, will recognize athletes’ sporting achievements across 2025. Djokovic, a five-time Sportsman of the Year winner himself, has been elected to host this year’s event alongside Chinese-American freestyle skier Eileen Gu.
The Serb adhered to the bowtie theme as he walked the red carpet wearing sunglasses. He was greeted by young fans eagerly waiting for his autograph. Djokovic recently pulled out of the ongoing Madrid Open, citing continued injury struggles.
Welcoming our co-host for this evening’s Laureus World Sports Awards – @DjokerNole#Laureus26 | @atptour pic.twitter.com/SAJPmZ3EfZ
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) April 20, 2026
Sabalenka was dressed to the nines in a glorious sequined dress, which she complemented with a Gucci bag. She, too, interacted with the fans before heading inside the venue. The Belarusian athlete, who is gearing up to defend her title in Madrid, is nominated for the Sportswoman of the Year award for the second year in a row.
Aryna Sabalenka, arriving in style.
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Nominee is on the Red Carpet#Laureus26 | @SabalenkaA pic.twitter.com/M70C04Xb6W
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) April 20, 2026
Joining the two stars was Alcaraz. The Spaniard’s right arm splint peeked out of his shirt as he met up with former Portuguese soccer star Luís Figo on the red carpet. His family, including his parents and brothers, were also spotted at the event.
MORE: Carlos Alcaraz Alarms Tennis World As He Shows Up in an Arm Cast After Wrist Injury
Alcaraz, nominated for the Sportsman of the Year award for the second time this year, won his maiden trophy. He also won the Breakthrough of the Year recognition in 2023. Recently, he joined Djokovic in pulling out of the Masters 1000 event in the Spanish capital after being compromised by a wrist injury.
Sincaraz is here ❤️🔥
Both @janniksin and @carlosalcaraz are nominated for the 2026 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.
These two are competing at every level 🤝 #Laureus26 pic.twitter.com/ywQnSZN9Tg
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) April 20, 2026
Sinner, who is competing in Madrid after being forced to miss the tournament’s previous edition, also arrived at Palacio de Cibeles for the event. The World No. 1 looked dapper as he gave autographs to fans. Just like his arch-rival, Sinner also received a nomination for the Sportsman of the Year award for his achievements in 2025.
Besides the trio, Amanda Anisimova received a Comeback of the Year nomination, and João Fonseca bagged a Breakthrough of the Year nomination.
With the Madrid tournament overlapping, several other tennis stars have made an appearance at the event. Lorenzo Musetti, Camila Osorio, Jasmine Paolini, and Alexandra Eala were among the players spotted on the red carpet. Boris Becker and Garbiñe Muguruza were among the former stars in attendance.
