Another tennis player, Serena Williams of the United States, won the Sportswoman of the Year Award following her 23rd Grand Slam title at Australian Open. With five Laureus statuettes in hand, Williams, who gave birth to a child in 2017, is now the most decorated female Laureus Award winner.

Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia received the Breakthrough of the Year Award for winning the 2017 Masters, his second Laureus Award, 18 years after winning the Laureus Newcomer accolade at the 2000 Awards.

Formula One team Mercedes AMG took away the Team of the Year Award following their dominant fourth successive Constructors World Championship.

French Vendee Globe winning sailor Armel Le Cleach received the Action Sportsperson of the Year Award, while Swiss wheelchair racer Marcel Hug won the World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award for his three titles at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships.

Brazilian football team Chapecoense, whose comeback from a devastating plane crash inspired the sporting world, were honored with the Laureus Best Sporting Moment of the Year Award.

Italian football legend Francesco Totti received the Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement Award for his 22-year contribution to Roma. He also joined Wales manager Ryan Giggs as the newest members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.