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World Sportsman of the Year 2006: Roger Federer

Roger reasserted his status on top of the sporting world this evening by again winning the Sportsman of the Year title at the Laureus World Sports Awards. "This is a wonderful thing. I am really thrilled," a smiling Roger said.

Roger beat off competition from seven-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, Brazil's Ronaldinho, two-time winner Tiger Woods, and Italian motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi, who picked up a Spirit of Sport award after three fruitless years as a contender and Fernando Alonso - who won the constructors award with Team Renault.

Spaniard Rafael Nadal, Roger's great rival, was named Newcomer of the Year after 12 months in which the 19-year-old was crowned French Open champion and became unbeatable on clay.

Roger, who goes to the French Open on Sunday aiming to become the first man since 1969 to hold all four Grand Slams, also won the Laureus award in Estoril 12 months ago - when he was the Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion.

It was a big night for tennis as Martina Hingis from Switzerland, too, took home an award. She received the title of comeback of the year.