(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-02-19 09:09

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia - Roger Federer and Justine Henin made it a double for tennis at the Laureus World Sports awards for 2008 on Monday.

Belgian tennis player Justine Henin displays the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award in the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg February 18, 2008. Tennis world number one Roger Federer won the prestigious Laureus Sportsman of the Year award for a record fourth year in a row on Monday. [Agencies]

Swiss star Federer took the World Sportsman of the Year award for a record fourth straight year, while Belgium's Henin won the women's equivalent award for the first time.

For the third year in a row, Federer won three out of four Grand Slam tournaments in 2007, at Wimbledon and the US and Australian Opens, and was the losing finalist in the French Open.

He also won the season-ending Masters in Shanghai and finished the year World No.1 for the fourth time in a row.

At 26, he has won 12 Grand Slam titles, two shy of the record held by the retired Pete Sampras.

"I am just happy that the jury didn't think that three is enough," said Federer.

"We get a lot of awards during the year. It might be national, it might be regional, but the Laureus is the one that goes worldwide.

Referring to his loss to Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the Australian Open last month, Federer said: "There are many up-and-coming youngsters in the game and it was about time they won something.

"They proved it at the Australian Open with two very young players in the final (Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga), but I hope I can keep my ground for some time to come."

"Three to go (Grand Slams) and to win the French Open which is next would be great."

Henin won two Grand Slam tournaments in 2007 at the French and US Opens and finished the year by lifting the WTA Tour Championships in Madrid.

It was the first time she has won the Laureus award succeeding Russian pole-vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva who was also short-listed for this year.

Switzerland's tennis player Roger Federer displays the trophy after the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008. Federer was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, for the fourth straight time. [Agencies]

The World No.1 battled back from a harrowing start to the year with the breakup of her marriage and her subsequent decision not to compete in the Australian Open.

But she managed to recover her motivation and drive going on to win 63 out of 67 matches, a winning precentage of 94 percent, the best in women's tennis since 1989

"It was a tough year personally with big issues, but I kept fighting and it's been the best year of my career so far and I kept away from injuries," she said.

"Wimbledon is now the only one (Grand Slam tournaments) that I have never one so that would be great and the Olympics in Beijing is another major goal for me this year."

The World team award went to South Africa's rugby union team who defeated England 15-6 in the World Cup final final at the Stade de France, Paris in October after going through the tournament unbeaten.

"We had a squad in France that were able to inspire and we hope that will make it a better South Africa for all," said winger Bryan Habana who finished the tournament as top try scorer.

There were awards also for two British favourites in Lewis Hamilton and Paula Radcliffe.

The 22-year-old Hamilton won the World Breakthrough of the Year award for leading the Formula One championship in his rookie season for much of the way, only losing out to Kimi Raikkonen in the closing Brazil Grand Prix.

He won four Grands Prix, the most ever in a debut season.

"Last year I was preparing for my first Grand Prix and I was always wanting to come to the Laureus Awards and meet the stars. I am very fortunate.

"I know what to expect now - the long trips, the new countries - it was a steep learning curve. This year I will approach it with as much, if not more, motivation having lost the world title by just one point."

Radcliffe took the Comeback of the Year award for winning the gruelling New York marathon after taking two years out of the sport to have a baby.

The other main awards went to Dutch wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer as World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability and US skateboarder Shaun White as World Action Sportsperson of the Year.