Sharapova and Nadal scoop ESPYs

Originally published on 19/07/14

The Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly awards recognise achievements in the calendar year preceding the ceremony. An ESPN committee nominates candidates for the awards and fans then vote for the winners online.

Novak Djokovic had been named Best Male Tennis Player for the past two years but he was denied a hat-trick by Nadal. The French Open champion, who was nominated in the category for the 10th year in a row, pipped Djokovic and Andy Murray to the prize.  He tweeted afterwards: “Very happy for this award! Thanks to @ESPYS and to all of you for always supporting me."

Nadal was also nominated in the Best International Athlete category but Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo took the prize.

Sharapova won the Best Female Tennis Player award for the fifth time ahead of Li Na, Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska. The Russian, who also presented an award alongside boxer Floyd Mayweather, has had an impressive year after missing the second half of 2013 through injury. She won tournaments in Stuttgart and Madrid as well as the French Open and is currently leading the Road to Singapore rankings. Also at the ceremony in California was Sharapova’s boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov and American Sloane Stephens.

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