Tennis star Novak Djokovic has been named the 2016 Laureus Sportsman of the Year.
The Serbian ace and current world No.1 claimed the award for the second year in succession at a star-studded ceremony in Berlin.
Djokovic, who dedicated his award to Niki Lauda and Johan Cruyff, beat out Lionel Messi, Lewis Hamilton, Usain Bolt, golfer Jordan Spieth and NBA star Stephen Curry to claim the prize.
And Djokovic took the opportunity to mount a passionate defence of tennis, insisting he does not believe the sport is tainted by match-fixing or doping.
“As long as we don’t have proof that the game is not clean, then it is clean," said Djokovic.
"He had a great year again," said Djokovic's coach Boris Becker, a Laureus Academy member.
"He's played 88 matches, has won 82, He won three out of the four Grand Slams, reached the final of the French Open, he’s won seven other tournaments.
"Very few players, if any, had a year like that."
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