Spanish women among top Laureus winners and Djokovic is world sportsman of the year

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Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, right, and Jelena Ristic pose on the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

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Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, center, Maria Francisca Perello, left, and Ana Maria Parera pose on the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

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FC Barcelona’s soccer player Aitana Bonmati poses on the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

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Former Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt, left, and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham at the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

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Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz poses on the red carpet before the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

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Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham poses for the media after winning “Breakthrough of the year 2024" at the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

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Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal and Maria Francisca Perello pose for the media after winning “Sport for good 2024" at the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in Madrid, Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

By TALES AZZONI

MADRID (AP) — Spain’s first Women’s World Cup triumph last year earned two more major plaudits at the Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday.

Spain was chosen world team of the year for 2023 and midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was picked as the best sportswoman.

Novak Djokovic received the sportsman of the year at the ceremony in Madrid, and American gymnast Simone Biles was given the comeback of the year award.

Real Madrid forward Jude Bellingham earned the breakthrough prize, and Rafael Nadal won the sport for good award thanks to his foundation.

The Spanish women’s World Cup breakthrough last August in New Zealand and Australia was tarnished in the following weeks because of an unwanted kiss of forward Jenni Hermoso by then-federation president Luis Rubiales after the final.

Laureus rewarded Spain as the first all-female team to win the team award.

Before the World Cup, Bonmatí also helped Barcelona win a second Women’s Champions League. She’s the first female soccer player to win the Laureus, after also receiving the Ballon d’Or and FIFA best player award.

“I want to thank all my teammates and the staff of my club and national team who have helped me a lot, and because of them I am here today,” Bonmati said.

The soccer player of Israel Amputee Football Team, Ben Binyamin controls the ball during a practice session in Ramat Gan, Thursday, April 11, 2024. Ben Binyamin was celebrating his 29th birthday at the Tribe of Nova music festival on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel and opened fire on thousands of Israelis dancing to electronic music. Binyamin raced into an air raid shelter, but attackers fired shots and then threw in grenades. He was seriously wounded; his right leg was blown off. He was left for dead. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

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Djokovic won his record-equalling fifth Laureus sportsman award — tying Roger Federer — after titles at the Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open to reach a record 24 Grand Slam singles triumphs. NFL great Tom Brady presented Djokovic the award.

Biles made a record-breaking return to competition last year when she won four gold medals at the world championships, including a record sixth all-around title.

Nadal’s foundation was rewarded for helping more than “1,000 vulnerable young people in Spain and India,” according to Laureus.

Teenager Arisa Trew won the action sportsperson award after becoming the first female skateboarder to land a 720 in competition.

Dutch wheelchair player Diede de Groot was selected as the sportsperson of the year with a disability after winning her third straight calendar tennis Grand Slam.

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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

TALES AZZONI

Azzoni is a sports reporter based in Madrid in charge of Spain and Portugal for The Associated Press. He has covered multiple World Cups and Olympic Games for the AP, as well as other major sporting events worldwide.