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"2026 Australian Open champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka were crowned Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, respectively, at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday. Footage shows top athletes, including FIFA World Cup winners Cafu and Xavi Hernandez, as well as Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, arriving at the Cibeles Palace in Madrid and posing for photographs. "They are the most prestigious awards we have in the world of sport right now. Icons and legends at the very highest level have won this award, and seeing my name alongside theirs means a lot," Alcaraz said during a press conference. "It feels like a dream." The tennis player did not confirm his participation in the upcoming Roland Garros tournament, as he is currently treating an injury to his right wrist. He said he will decide whether or not to play in the prestigious Grand Slam after receiving the results of his medical examinations. "As I said, I'd rather come back a little later and be fully fit than return too early, rush, and not be well. We have to take care of ourselves because a career can be very long," he explained. Lamine Yamal, an FC Barcelona and Spain national team player, was also crowned Young Sportsperson of the Year during the ceremony. In his remarks at the press conference, Yamal praised both the award and Lionel Messi, saying that the Argentinian is the best football player and one of the greatest athletes in history. "He is an idol. Everyone respects him for everything he has done, from the childhood of every kid who has played football at school or in the park," he said. The youngster also shared that he is looking forward to playing in the upcoming FIFA World Cup and declared that it has always been a dream to represent Spain in the tournament. "I'm eager for the first match to arrive, and hopefully we can become champions," Yamal stated. Meanwhile, Toni Kroos, a former Real Madrid player and winner of the Sporting Inspiration Award, declined to answer any questions related to his former club. He also stated that he is not interested in returning to the pitch, saying that he is 'much busier than before'. The ceremony also honored the following: Paris Saint-Germain as Laureus World Team of the Year; Lando Norris as Breakthrough of the Year; Rory McIlroy as Comeback of the Year; Gabriel Araujo as Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability; Chloe Kim as Action Sportsperson of the Year; and Futbol Mas with the Sport for Good Award."
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