ABU DHABI, UAE - Following a ballot of the world's media, three-time Laureus winner Serena Williams has been nominated once again for the prestigious Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award, for her feat of winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2010.

Also short-listed are world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, who won a tour-best six WTA titles in 2010 on her way to securing the top ranking at the age of 20; and current No.3 Kim Clijsters, who defended her US Open title and also won the WTA Championships for a third time.

The tennis trio are up against American ski star Lindsey Vonn, track's Jessica Ennis of Britain and Croatian high jumper Blanka Vlasic. Meantime, Justine Henin has been nominated for the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award. Although her return to professional tennis was curtailed by an elbow injury, Henin reached won two titles in the first half of 2010 (Stuttgart and 's-Hertogenbosch) and also reached finals at Brisbane and the Australian Open. Clijsters won the comeback award 12 months ago.

Dutch wheelchair tennis star Esther Vergeer, who has already won two Laureus Awards, has once again been nominated for the World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award.

On the men's side, ATP World Tour star Rafael Nadal has been nominated for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year accolade, after becoming the first man since 1969 to win the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open in the same year. It would be Nadal's second Laureus Award, after winning the Newcomer Award in 2006.

The Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognize sporting achievement during the calendar year 2010, are voted on by the Laureus World Sports Academy. This elite jury is made up of 46 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time. The winners will be announced at a televised Awards Ceremony staged in Abu Dhabi on Monday, February 7.