Tennis superstar, Rafael Nadal, has thanked the media for being nominated again for the prestigious Laureus Sports Awards. The World Number 2 clinched an unprecedented 13th French Open title last year, taking his career haul of Grand Slam trophies to 20.

The Spaniard is level with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam titles in the men’s game; World Number 1 Novak Djokovic trails closely at 18 championship trophies.

Rafael Nadal nominated for ‘Sportsman of the Year’ alongside Lewis Hamilton and LeBron James, among others

Nadal has been nominated for ‘Sportsman of the Year’ alongside British Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, and NBA stalwart LeBron James, among others.

Both Nadal and Hamilton were among the nominees for the prestigious piece of honor last year as well. But the latter, who won a record seventh Formula One World Championship last year, took home the award.

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Argentina and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi was the second athlete to be conferred with the award last year.

Federer remains the athlete to have won the elite award for the most number of times, at six. The Swiss won five awards for ‘Sportsman of the Year’ and one for ‘Comeback of the Year’.

It will be interesting to see if the Spanish tennis superstar can clinch the honor in 2021.

Nadal missed out on a chance to go past Roger Federer’s career Grand Slam tally

Delighted at bagging his second straight nomination in the elite category, Nadal looked back at his last season saying that it was special to have won his 13th title at Roland-Garros and go level with his old enemy in the Grand Slam race.

Thanking the media for “giving” him the nomination, the Spaniard tweeted, “May the best one win but thanks anyhow for this nomination. Always an honor (emojis)”.

Coming into the Australian Open with a chance to go past Federer’s career Grand Slam mark, Nadal made quick work of his opponents to reach the tournament’s last-eight.

WATCH: Rafael Nadal’s Top Shots of 2020

However, his campaign ended in the quarters as World Number 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas, scripted a heroic comeback win from two sets down to send the Spaniard crashing out of Melbourne Park.