ABU DHABI, UAE - Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters both received Laureus World Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Williams for Sportswoman of the Year and Clijsters for Comeback of the Year.
Williams ended 2009 ranked No.1 after a season that brought her 10th and 11th Grand Slams at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, as well as the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships. It is Williams' third Laureus award - she won Sportswoman of the Year in 2003 and Comeback of the Year in 2007.
Clijsters came out of over two years of retirement from the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour last summer and made a scintillating run to her second Grand Slam title at the US Open - this time with daughter Jada by her side.
"Last year was a very emotional year for me," Clijsters said. "At the start I lost my father, and then winning the US Open was an unbelievable emotion. It was an experience I never thought would happen so quickly and so soon. It was an amazing two weeks. I'm really happy I decided to come back to tennis, and that I have my family who like to travel and live this adventure with me.
"Winning this award in my situation is very special. I'm very, very happy that I can always see my name next to all the other great champions."
"To win a Grand Slam within a few weeks of returning is heroic, Kim totally deserves this Award," Laureus Academy member Martina Navratilova said. "Tennis suffered over the last few years with top class players retiring before their time was up because of injuries and stress. Kim Clijsters threw all that into reverse and staged a truly phenomenal comeback. It takes a really strong turn of mind to return to the hard work and pressure of the tennis circuit."
The 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during the period January 1 to December 31, 2009, are the premier honors on the international sporting calendar. The winners are chosen by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the ultimate sports jury, made up of 46 of the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen of all time. The living legends of sport.
The names of the winners were announced at a televised awards ceremony at the Emirates Palace, which also celebrated the first 10 years of Laureus, and was attended by global figures from the world of sport and entertainment.
Other Tour stars who have Laureus awards are Jennifer Capriati (two), Martina Hingis, Justine Henin and Amélie Mauresmo. ATP World Tour stars who have won Laureus awards are Roger Federer (four), Goran Ivanisevic, Marat Safin and Rafael Nadal. Wheelchair player Esther Vergeer has also won twice.
For more information on the awards, please visit www.laureus.com.
