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MONACO, Feb. 18-- Tennis world No. 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia won his fourth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year here on Monday, and American record-holding gymnast Simone Biles bagged the World Sportswoman of the Year Award thanks to her dominant world championship performance last year. Djokovic triumphed in tough competition against footballing star duo of Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric, Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, Kenyan marathon world record-breaker Eliud Kipchoge and NBA superstar LeBron James. "A Laureus Award is what every athlete wants to win, and this one is a huge honor for me. Being among so many sporting greats here tonight, and hearing about the inspirational work Laureus is doing around the world, gives this Award a special meaning for me," said Djokovic. The fourth Sportsman of the Year trophy has moved Djokovic level with athletics icon Usain Bolt, just one shy of Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer's record. After returning from an elbow surgery, Djokovic won the Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018. Djokovic added that reflecting on that journey, "it seems like a fairytale story." Biles won four gold, one silver and one bronze medals at the 2018 World Championships. Also the World Sportsmwoman of the Year winner in 2017, she made history by becoming the first woman to win four all-around world gymnastics championships. Biles has a record 14 career world titles under her name at the age of 21. She went ahead of winter sports stars Ester Ledecka and Mikaela Shiffrin, Grand Slam tennis champions Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber, and four-time ironman world champion Daniela Ryf in the vote. | 
