Novak Djokovic wins European Sportsperson of the Year award

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has won the Polish Press Agency's European Sportsperson of the Year award for a fourth time.

In a vote consisting of a panel of 26 news agencies, the Serb received 172 points, 33 more than Polish footballer Robert Lewandowski, who finished second. Recently crowned Formula One champion Max Verstappen came in third with 125 points.

Norwegian sprinter Karsten Warholm, who set a new world record for 400m hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics, was fourth while Dutch runner Sifan Hassan came in fifth.

Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar and NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo were ranked sixth and seventh respectively. The remainder of the top 10 was filled by Italian sprinter Lamont Marcell Jacobs, Swedish pole-vaulter Armand Duplantis and Norwegian ski runner Therese Johaug.

Each of the 26 news agencies presented their top ten, and Djokovic made the cut in 22 of those. The Serb finished first on eight lists, second on two lists and third on five lists.

Novak Djokovic at the 2021 French Open

The first time Djokovic won the European Sportsperson of the Year award was in 2011, beating Germans Sebastian Vettel and Dirk Nowitzki. His second win came in 2015, pipping Lewis Hamilton and Dutch athlete Dafne Schippers.

The Serb won the award for the third time in 2018 ahead of Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric and Lewis Hamilton.

Djokovic had an excellent 2021, winning the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He also reached the final of the US Open but lost to Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. The Serb ended the year as World No. 1, extending his reign at the top of the rankings to a record 352 weeks.

Novak Djokovic's Australian Open participation still in doubt

Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic is on the official entry list for the Australian Open but is yet to confirm his participation in the tournament. The Serb has withdrawn from the ATP Cup where Serbia have been placed in Group A alongside Norway, Chile and Spain.

The Victorian Government has mandated that all players, staff and fans must be fully vaccinated in order to gain entry to the Australian Open. However, Djokovic is yet to confirm his vaccination status.

With the Australian Open only a few weeks away, we are still in the dark regarding the World No. 1's participation in the year's first Grand Slam.

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