Rory McIlroy and Formula 1 rookie Lando Norris were among the athletes who took home honors on a glittering evening at the renowned Laureus World Sport Awards on Monday. The ceremony, held in New York, gathered the most celebrated figures from a wide range of sports to recognize extraordinary achievements and inspirational stories from the past year. McIlroy’s moment was historic. After a long‑awaited victory at The Masters in 2025, the Northern Irish golfer finally completed the career Grand Slam – a feat he had been chasing for more than a decade since his last major triumph.
In recognition of that comeback, he was presented with the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award. "Winning my second Laureus Award is a huge honour, both personally and for golf," McIlroy said, his voice tinged with emotion. "To have the sport recognised on a global stage like this, alongside so many great athletes, means a lot." He reflected on the significance of the Masters win, describing it as a moment that would stay with him forever.
"There are certain moments in your career that stay with you, and winning The Masters is one I’ll carry with me forever. To then have a year like that recognised by Laureus is very special," he added. McIlroy went on to explain how completing the career Grand Slam felt "incredibly emotional" because it capped a journey marked by near‑misses, injuries, and doubts. "It probably means more because of everything that came before it – the near misses, the setbacks, and the questions along the way.
That’s a big part of the journey, and I’m grateful that this award recognises that." He also took the opportunity to congratulate the other nominees in his category, praising their stories and noting how they had inspired him. "I also want to congratulate all of the nominees, especially those in my category.
There are some amazing stories there, and I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from them," he said. The personal connection to the Laureus foundation added another layer of meaning for McIlroy. "I know the Laureus Awards were founded by Johann Rupert, who I’m fortunate to know, so that makes this even more meaningful. I also believe strongly in what Laureus stands for and the idea, as Nelson Mandela said, that sport has the power to change the world." The night also highlighted the meteoric rise of Lando Norris, the 26‑year‑old Briton who clinched his first Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship after a dramatic duel with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and four‑time champion Max Verstappen.
Norris’ breakthrough season earned him the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award. "Thank you to the Laureus Academy for selecting me as their World Breakthrough of the Year winner.
It’s an honour to be recognised by many legendary athletes who have achieved so much in their careers," he said, visibly moved. Norris emphasized that his championship was far from a solo effort. "Winning the world championship is something I dreamed about since I was young, so to win my first in 2025 is pretty special.
It’s far from being an individual achievement – without my team, who were also nominated for a Laureus Team of the Year Award, I wouldn’t be where I am today," he explained. He also expressed pride in joining an elite roster of previous Laureus winners, naming Lewis Hamilton and Jude Bellingham as inspirations. "It’s pretty incredible to have my name added to the list of winners of this award, joining athletes like Lewis Hamilton and Jude Bellingham.
I hope to also inspire young drivers coming through. This Laureus is a reminder of everything that went into our win last season, and everything still to come," Norris concluded. In the individual categories, Spanish tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz captured the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year title after a spectacular 2025 campaign that saw him reclaim the world No.
1 ranking and secure two Grand Slam crowns at the French Open and the US Open. His consistency across surfaces and his poise in high‑pressure matches impressed the voting panel and cemented his status as the sport’s new standard‑bearer. The women’s award went to Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka, who joined an exclusive list of tennis legends such as Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka.
Sabalenka’s powerful baseline game and her ability to dominate both singles and doubles events this year earned her widespread acclaim and a well‑deserved place in Laureus history. Beyond the headline winners, the ceremony also featured presentations for team achievements, humanitarian efforts, and lifetime contributions to sport. The event underscored Laureus’s mission to harness the power of sport to inspire positive change, a principle championed by its founder Johann Rupert and famously articulated by Nelson Mandela.
Overall, the 2025 Laureus World Sport Awards celebrated a diverse array of stories – from McIlroy’s long‑awaited Grand Slam completion and Norris’s rapid ascent to the pinnacle of motor racing, to Alcaraz’s resurgence at the top of tennis and Sabalenka’s breakthrough dominance. Each accolade highlighted not only the athletes’ personal triumphs but also the broader impact of sport in uniting fans, driving ambition, and fostering a global community that believes in the transformative potential of competition.