(Courtesy of the ITF:
Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova, who were named the ITF World Champions earlier this week, are among the nominees for top honours in the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards.
Djokovic has been shortlisted for World Sportsman of the Year alongside Usain Bolt, Lionel Messi, Dirk Nowitzki, Sebastian Vettel and Cadel Evans.
The world No. 1 has dominated the men’s game throughout the year, winning three Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open. He kick-started his incredible season by leading Serbia to Davis Cup by BNP Paribas glory last December.
Kvitova is nominated in the World Sportswoman of the Year category alongside Vivian Cheruiyot, Maria Hofl-Riesch, Carmelita Jeter, Homare Sawa and Yani Tseng.
The Czech player claimed her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon and went on to end the year in style, as she won both her matches to help Czech Republic clinch a 3-2 victory over Russia in the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final.
Kvitova has also been shortlisted for Breakthrough of the Year with fellow tennis player Li Na, who became the first Chinese player to win a Grand Slam singles title when she triumphed at Roland Garros earlier this year.
Esther Vergeer is also in the running for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability. This is the sixth time that the Dutch wheelchair tennis player has been put forward for this award.
The winners will be announced at a televised Awards Ceremony in London on 6 February.
Sportsman of the Year
Usain Bolt, Athletics
Novak Djokovic, Tennis
Lionel Messi, Football
Dirk Nowitzki, Basketball
Sebastian Vettel, Motor Racing
Cadel Evans, Cycling
Sportswoman of the Year
Vivian Cheruiyot, Athletics
Maria Hofl-Riesch, Skiing
Carmelita Jeter, Athletics
Petra Kvitova, Tennis
Homare Sawa, Football
Yani Tseng, Golfer
Team of the Year
All Blacks, Rugby
FC Barcelona, Football
Dallas Mavericks, Basketball
England Cricket Team, Cricket
Japan Women’s Football Team, Football
Red Bull, Motor Racing
Breakthrough of the Year
Yohan Blake, Athletics
Petra Kvitova, Tennis
Rory McIlroy, Golf
Li Na, Tennis
Oscar Pistorious, Athletics
Mo Farah, Athletics
Comeback of the Year
Eric Abidal, Football
Darren Clarke, Golf
Crusaders, Rugby Union
Sergio Garcia, Golf
Liu Xiang, Athletics
Queensland Reds, Rugby Union
Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability
Daniel Dias, Swimming
Terezinha Guilhermina, Atheltics
Oscar Pistorious, Athletics
Esther Vergeer, Wheelchair Tennis
David Weir, Wheelchair Athletics
Irek Zaripov, Skiing
Action Sportsperson of the Year
Jamie Bestwick, BMX
Philip Koster, Windsurfing
Carissa Moore, Surfing
Travis Rice, Snowboarding
Kelly Slater, Surfing
Shaun White, Skateboarding / Snowboarding
(Courtesy of the ITF:
Topics: Novak Djokovic, Petra Kvitova