Celebrating an Icon with Laureus Spirit of Sport
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The latest episode of the Laureus-presented show features an exclusive interview with tennis legend Rafael Nadal – and previews this summer’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.
It marked the end of an era. Rafael Nadal’s retirement at the end of the 2024 season brought the curtain down on a career that shimmered with silverware. Across more than two decades, Nadal claimed 22 Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals. This month’s episode of Spirit of Sport celebrates the Spaniard’s remarkable career on and off the court.
The Spaniard is the only athlete to complete a ‘Laureus Slam’ – Breakthrough of the Year (2006), Comeback of the Year (2014), Sportsman of the Year (2011 and 2021) and the Laureus Sport for Good Award (2024).
In an exclusive interview at this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid – where he added the prestigious Laureus Sporting Icon Award to his collection – Nadal reflects on the final moments of his glittering career at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, whilst looking ahead to future opportunities to make a positive impact away from the court.
“Every award that I have received from Laureus has been very special”, he said. “But this [Icon Award] recognises something else. It recognises the work of all my life and that makes me feel proud. Receiving this kind of award reminds me of all the positive things that have happened in my career.”
The Spaniard is the only athlete to complete a ‘Laureus Slam’ – Breakthrough of the Year (2006), Comeback of the Year (2014), Sportsman of the Year (2011 and 2021) and the Laureus Sport for Good Award (2024).
In an exclusive interview at this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid – where he added the prestigious Laureus Sporting Icon Award to his collection – Nadal reflects on the final moments of his glittering career at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, whilst looking ahead to future opportunities to make a positive impact away from the court.
“Every award that I have received from Laureus has been very special”, he said. “But this [Icon Award] recognises something else. It recognises the work of all my life and that makes me feel proud. Receiving this kind of award reminds me of all the positive things that have happened in my career.”
“Sport has the power to create opportunities, to change destinies. When you are competing against each other, everyone is equal. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, what you have or don’t have. You are competing with the determination to achieve your dreams.”
As one sporting chapter closes, another begins, as Spirit of Sport travels to Switzerland to preview the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. Ahead of the competition’s 14th edition, exclusive interviews with Laureus Ambassador Kosovare Asllani and fellow international footballer Georgia Stanway explore the excitement around what promises to be the most thrilling installment in the competition’s history.
Sweden captain Asllani has watched the women’s game develop for over two decades and believes that increased visibility across global media has inspired young girls across the world, whilst raising the game to an entirely new level.
“The broadcasting is so important,” she said. “It’s created role models for young girls to see on TV, to think ‘OK, I want to be like her when I grow up’. I didn’t really have that, so that’s been the biggest development over these years.”
Sweden captain Asllani has watched the women’s game develop for over two decades and believes that increased visibility across global media has inspired young girls across the world, whilst raising the game to an entirely new level.
“The broadcasting is so important,” she said. “It’s created role models for young girls to see on TV, to think ‘OK, I want to be like her when I grow up’. I didn’t really have that, so that’s been the biggest development over these years.”
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In London, Spirit of Sport takes to the courts of the iconic Hurlingham Club, as the second edition of the Alfred Dunhill Padel Classic gets underway. The event pairs padel professionals with celebrities from the sporting community, including Laureus Academy Members Jessica Ennis-Hill and Bryan Habana, in a tournament fundraising for Laureus Sport for Good.
Wimbledon is around the corner, and Spirit of Sport has the grass courts covered. With World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka returning to action, Laureus Academy Member Boris Becker is anticipating an electrifying tournament. “She has this ultimate desire to win, and I think it shows,” he said. “She’s a figurehead in women’s tennis right now.”
Finally, as part of its 25th Anniversary, Laureus is telling the inspirational stories of individuals shaping the sporting world. For this month’s episode, Dr David Thiru reflects on the role football played in his youth, and how he is using those lessons to empower his community through the Mathare Youth Sports Association in Nairobi, Kenya.
Find Spirit of Sport on TV, online and stay tuned to Laureus’ social and digital channels for more unique and compelling stories and insights from stellar names from the world of sport.
Wimbledon is around the corner, and Spirit of Sport has the grass courts covered. With World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka returning to action, Laureus Academy Member Boris Becker is anticipating an electrifying tournament. “She has this ultimate desire to win, and I think it shows,” he said. “She’s a figurehead in women’s tennis right now.”
Finally, as part of its 25th Anniversary, Laureus is telling the inspirational stories of individuals shaping the sporting world. For this month’s episode, Dr David Thiru reflects on the role football played in his youth, and how he is using those lessons to empower his community through the Mathare Youth Sports Association in Nairobi, Kenya.
Find Spirit of Sport on TV, online and stay tuned to Laureus’ social and digital channels for more unique and compelling stories and insights from stellar names from the world of sport.
