The French Open title and an Olympic gold medal are the only major prizes in tennis to have eluded Novak Djokovic,and for the Serb,there is no point discussing which he would rather win this year. Why not both? the confident Serb shot back when asked to choose,looking dapper in a suit and bow tie after collecting his Laureus sportsman of the year award in London on Monday. As with most of the five-times Grand Slam winners public appearances,the 24-year-olds swagger is tempered with a smile,suggesting he is not getting too carried away with his huge success over the past 14 months. In December 2010,Djokovic spearheaded Serbia to their first Davis Cup triumph then went on to win three of the four major titles in 2011,before outlasting Rafa Nadal in the longest Grand Slam final played to defend his Australian Open crown last month. Jokes and smiles aside,when Djokovic addressed the question seriously,his response was ominous. Ive learnt how to handle my schedule,how to handle myself on and off the court and to prepare for the biggest events. That is going to be the case this year, he said. I will try to set up my form for Roland Garros first of all,where I want to get the title and go all the way through,and then Ill start thinking about Wimbledon and the Olympics. Djokovic has honed his craft alongside two of the games most successful male players in 16-times Grand Slam champion Roger Federer and Nadal,a 10-times major winner. The Serbs dominance in 2011 was briefly interrupted by Swiss Federer at Roland Garros,who snapped his 41-match winning streak in the semi-final. Djokovic has never made it past the last four in the years second Grand Slam and would likely have to beat Nadal to claim the title in Paris,where the Spaniard has reigned supreme in six of the last seven tournaments. Out of his contemporaries,though,Federers record haul of 16 Grand Slam titles remains the benchmark,while Nadal holds the coveted Olympic gold medal. Djokovic has beaten Nadal in seven consecutive finals,including the title match at Melbourne Park,and is also set on taking the Spaniards gold in London,despite some worries the Wimbledon surface may not be in great shape. Its going to be interesting to see how the grass will recover,but Im informed already that they have everything prepared, said Djokovic. Barca top Barcelona captured the team trophy as they were recognized as the best team after a stellar 2011 in which Pep Guardiolas players won the Spanish league and Champions League. Kenyan distance runner Vivian Cheruiyot,who won the 5,000 and 10,000-meter titles at the world championships last year,took the sportswomans award. Darren Clarke was honored with the comeback of the year award. The 43-year-old Northern Irishman won his first golf major by capturing the 2011 British Open. Award winners: Sportsman of the Year: Novak Djokovic,World Sportswoman of the Year: Vivian Cheruiyot,World Team of the Year: FC Barcelona,Breakthrough of the Year: Rory McIlroy,Comeback Award: Darren Clarke,Disability Award: Oscar Pistorius,Action Sportsperson of the Year: Kelly Slater,Lifetime Achievement Award: Bobby Charlton,Sport for Good Award: Oliveira Rai
