Novak Djokovic has single-handedly placed his name alongside the greats of modern tennis by adding a remarkable third Grand Slam title in a single year to his winning record. And, having been twice nominated for a Laureus Award, could this be the victory that sets him up for further glory at next year’s ceremony?

After a remarkable year, Djokovic has put himself in a strong position for the next Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award

With his US Open triumph, Djokovic, who became world No 1 earlier this season, has become only the sixth man in the open era to win three of the four majors in a single year.

And, following Djokovic’s US Open victory, Laureus Academy Member John McEnroe, who won two Grand Slams in a single year at Wimbledon and the US Open in 1984,  said: “Wimbledon was where he separated himself and took himself to a whole new level. Djokovic is having the greatest year in the history of our sport.”

Djokovic’s remarkable 41-0 winning streak from this year was only one short of McEnroe’s own record set in 1984.

Last year, Djokovic’s US Open final opponent, Rafa Nadal, won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award having won three of the four Grand Slams. Having done just the same, do you think there is anyone other than Novak who has had a better year in their particular sport?

Let Laureus know your suggestions in the box below or get in touch on Twitter @LaureusSport.

27 climbers still eager to reach the summit

This blog is not written by Martina since she had to abandon the climb and was flown to the Nairobi Hospital. We still want to keep Martina’s fans as well as friends and family of the 27 climbers who are still on the mountain informed about the last days of the climb. Here are today’s events:

Obviously all awoke this morning gutted to hear the sad news that Martina had had to abandon the climb.

She was assisted down the mountain by porters and driven to the nearby Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre for assessment, then, as a precaution, she was flown to the Nairobi Hospital for further tests which showed she was suffering from high altitude pulmonary oedema – an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.

Dr David Silverstein, consultant in cardiology and internal medicine at the Nairobi Hospital, said: “Basically this is fluid in the lungs related to high altitude. It is potentially dangerous when someone is at high altitude, but once brought down, recovery is quick. Martina is doing well and will continue to do well.
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With Wimbledon starting yesterday, Martina  gives her thoughts on this year’s favourites to win and how the english players will perform at Wimbledon.

Furthermore, in spite of her having treatment at the moment she is going to climb the Kilimanjaro in order to raise donations for the Laureus projects in Kenya.

This was a week for the big boys. They showed us that form is temporary but class is permanent, that the cream will always rise to the top, that the business end of the season is upon us and that the world of sport loves a good cliche. So here’s our countdown:

1) Golf – Tiger Woods produced a Tigerish performance to overhaul Padraig Harrington and win the World Golf Championship at Firestone. It all happened at the par-five 16th hole where Woods struck a magical 8 iron to give himself a birdie and the lead, after the Irishman carded a disastrous triple bogey. Luckily for the rest of us we’ll get to see the two of them pair up at the USPGA Championship on Thursday.

That 8 iron…

2) Cricket – Australia levelled the Ashes series in emphatic fashion on Sunday afternoon by inflicting an ‘innings and 80 runs’ defeat (that’s huge if you’re not much of a cricket fan) on England. Plenty of great moments from the Aussies but we’ll go for Marcus North’s century as our favourite.

3) X-Games – Travis Pastrana is an X Games legend. Unfortunately even legends get it wrong occasionally, as happened with this Toilet Paper Roll attempt at X Games XV. Read more

1) Surfing – Kelly Slater won the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award. Well we had to, didn’t we?

2) Swimming – Michael Phelps broke the 100m butterfly world record in dramatic fashion at the World Swimming Championships in Rome on Saturday. Trailing in 4th postion at the turn, Phelps put in his customary strong last 50m and overtook Serbia’s Milorad Cavic with about 5m to go. Phelps admitted that his outpouring of emotion came from the build-up to the race and his rivalry with Cavic.

3) Formula One - Ferrari’s announcement that Michael Schumacher will replace Felipe Massa Read more