Rafael Nadal wins Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award

Rafael Nadal won the top honour at this year's Laureus Sport Awards as he bagged the Sportsman of the Year title at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

What can I say besides being proud of Nadal for his first achievement this year!

Nadal arriving on the red carpet.

The winner of World Sportsman of the Year is announced!

Academy Member Boris Becker passes the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award to Nadal.

Nadal gives his speech after receiving his first Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award.

Nadal is the unanimous choice, chosen by 46 sports stars who make up the Laureus sports academy.

The tennis ace beat off competition from footballers Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, boxer Manny Pacquiao and race car driver Sebastian Vettel.

Nadal plays table tennis with Kevin Spacey...

... and he's good at it!

Nadal received the honours for having an outstanding year during which he won the French Open, the Wimbledon and the US Open besides other titles.

The Spanish matador missed out to Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt in his previous nomination in 2009.

Here's a great video of Nadal at the prestigious award show.

(Images by Getty Images via Zimbio)

Ana Ivanovic, Vera Zvonareva light up Pattaya Open

Defending champion Vera Zvonareva and former world no. 1 Ana Ivanovic head a star-studded line-up at the US$220,000 PTT Pattaya Open, which will be held at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Pattaya from February 6-13, 2011.

Ivanovic has been in Pattaya for the past three days.

The PTT Pattaya Open, which was recently voted “Tournament of the Year” by the players on the WTA Tour, will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2011.

Updated: Here are some latest practice photos of Ivanovic from Pattaya. She looks absolutely gorgeous and in great shape!

(Images via tennisforum.com; PTT Pattaya Open Facebook Page)

Li Na out of Fed Cup, China loses to Uzbekistan

Without Australian Open runner-up Li Na, who is injured due to leg cramp, China lost to Uzbekistan 3-0 in Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Group I on Friday.

In the playoff for a slot in World Group II, Uzbekistan will face Japan, which was unbeaten in Group B.

(Image via Sina Sports)

Li Na just one step away from Grand Slam title

I wonder how many billion people will be watching this year's Australian Open women final.

It could be a recording breaking year with the entire country of China rooting for Li Na alone.

Congrats to Li Na for becoming the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam final after defeated world no.1 and top seed Caroline Wozniacki 3-6 7-5 6-3.

(Iimage via Yahoo! Sports)