Rory McIlroy and Formula One rookie Lando Norris were among the athletes who walked away with trophies on a glittering evening at the renowned Laureus World Sport Awards on Monday. The ceremony, held in New York, celebrated the year’s most inspiring sporting achievements and highlighted stories of perseverance, breakthrough performance and historic milestones. McIlroy’s triumph was especially poignant.
Eleven years after his previous major victory, the Northern Irish golfer finally completed the elusive career Grand Slam by capturing The Masters at Augusta National in 2025. In recognition of that remarkable 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 in his acceptance speech. "To have the sport recognised on a global stage like this, alongside so many great athletes, means a lot." He went on to reflect on the emotional weight of the Masters win.
"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 explained. The Northern Irishman described the completion of the career Grand Slam as "incredibly emotional," noting that the journey had been littered with near‑misses, injuries and doubts. "It probably means more because of everything that came before it – the setbacks, the questions along the way.
That’s a big part of the journey, and I’m grateful that this award recognises that," he added. McIlroy also paid tribute to his fellow nominees, saying, "I 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 highlighted the personal connection to the Laureus foundation, noting that it was founded by Johann Rupert, a man he knows personally.
"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 celebrated the meteoric rise of Lando Norris, the 26‑year‑old British driver who clinched his first Formula One World Drivers’ Championship after a dramatic showdown with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and four‑time champion Max Verstappen. Norris’s 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," Norris said. He emphasized that his championship was a collective 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 remarked. Norris also expressed his desire to inspire the next generation of drivers, noting that joining the ranks of past Laureus winners such as Lewis Hamilton and Jude Bellingham was a privilege. "This Laureus is a reminder of everything that went into our win last season, and everything still to come," he concluded.
In the individual sport categories, Spanish tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz was crowned Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after a sensational 2025 campaign that saw him reclaim the world No. 1 ranking and capture two Grand Slam titles at the French Open and the US Open. Alcaraz’s consistency, mental toughness and ability to dominate on multiple surfaces impressed the Academy and secured his place among the sport’s elite. The women’s award went to Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka, who joined an exclusive list of tennis legends that includes Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka.
Sabalenka’s relentless baseline game, powerful serve and breakthrough performances in major tournaments earned her the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year title, underscoring her status as one of the sport’s most dominant figures. Beyond the headline winners, the ceremony highlighted a broad spectrum of stories—from athletes overcoming injury to those who used sport as a platform for social change.
The Laureus Awards continue to champion the belief, articulated by Nelson Mandela, that sport possesses the capacity to transform societies, inspire youth and bridge cultural divides. The evening also featured promotional segments for the PGA Tour, including a preview of the 2026 tournament schedule and a reminder that fans can stream the Tour without a contract. Viewers were encouraged to watch golf live on Sky Sports and to tune into the Sky Sports Golf Podcast for deeper analysis.
Additionally, the event’s producers reminded the audience to use the Chrome browser for an optimal video‑player experience. Overall, the 2025 Laureus World Sport Awards served as a celebration of resilience, breakthrough performance and the unifying power of sport. From McIlroy’s long‑awaited Grand Slam completion to Norris’s historic first Formula One title, the night encapsulated the triumphs that inspire athletes and fans worldwide.