Roger Federer beats Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic to win honour for SIXTEENTH year in row
ROGER FEDERER has beaten Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal to win the ATP’s fans’ favourite award for a 16th year in a row.
Recipients of the 2018 ATP World Tour Awards were announced on Friday ahead of a presentation ceremony that night.
Novak Djokovic won the player-of-the-year and comeback player honours, Rafael Nadal won the best sportsmanship trophy but it was the supporters’ accolade that went to Federer.
Fans had been voting for their favourite over the last few weeks with the Swiss bringing it home.
The ATP announced on their website: “Federer extended his reign in this category, winning the popular vote from fans for a 16th straight year to take his record tally of ATP World Tour Awards to 37.
“This season, Federer became the oldest World No. 1 in the 45-year history of the ATP Rankings and also claimed his 20th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
“Ahead of the Nitto ATP Finals, he won his 99th tour-level title at his hometown tournament in Basel.”
Federer will compete in the ATP Finals at London's O2 Arena which start on November 11.
World number one Novak Djokovic has been drawn against Alexander Zverev, Marin Cilic and John Isner in the group stages.
Djokovic is back at the top of the rankings this week for the first time in two years after Rafael Nadal was forced to withdraw from the Paris Masters through injury.
Isner, the lowest-seed in the eight-player tournament, was a late replacement for Nadal, who announced on Monday he would miss the tournament to undergo surgery on his ankle.
Federer, who is seeking his 100th career title, headlines the other group.
The Swiss will face Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem and Kei Nishikori. Anderson came back from two sets to love down to beat the 20-time Grand Slam champion at Wimbledon in July on his way to the final.
ATP World Tour Awards winners
ATP World Tour No.1: Novak Djokovic
Comeback Player of the Year: Novak Djokovic
ATP World Tour No.1 doubles team: Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic
Most improved player of the year: Stefano Tsitsipas
Newcomer of the year: Alex de Minaur
Stefan Edberg sportsmanship award: Rafael Nadal
Arthur Ashe humanitarian award: Tommy Robredo
ATP coach of the year: Marian Vajda
ATPWorldTour.com fans' favourite: Roger Federer
ATPWorldTour.com fans' favourite (doubles): Mike Bryan and Jack Sock
Ron Bookman media excellence award: Sue Barker
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year: BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells)
ATP World Tour 500 Tournament of the Year: Fever-Tree Championships (Queen’s Club)
ATP World Tour 250 Tournament of the Year: Intrum Stockholm Open (Stockholm)