Novak Djokovic and Simone Biles have been named the top athletes for 2023 by the prestigious French daily “L’Équipe.”
In the past year, Djokovic reached the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments, winning three – the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and the US Open. With these victories, he became the tennis player with the most Grand Slam titles in history, securing a total of 24. Additionally, Djokovic claimed victory at the Masters tournaments in Cincinnati and Paris, as well as the year-end Masters in Turin. He kicked off the year with a triumph in Adelaide.
Starting the year as the fourth-ranked player globally, Djokovic finished as the world No. 1, breaking the 400-week mark at the top of the ATP rankings.
In “L’Équipe’s” selection, Djokovic accumulated more points than the second and third contenders on the list, swimmer Leon Marchand and Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen.
Les Titans, Simone Biles et Novak Djokovic sont nos Champions des champions monde. pic.twitter.com/djVkKoIIyQ
— L’ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) December 28, 2023
The top ten also includes athlete Noah Lyles, rugby player Siya Kolisi, skier Marco Odermatt, biathlete Johannes Thingnes Bø, cyclists Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel, and footballer Erling Haaland.
The best female athlete in the world according to “L’Équipe” is American gymnast Simone Biles, who outshone skier Mikaela Shiffrin.
Following them are swimmer Katie Ledecky, footballer Aitana Bonmati, cyclist Demi Vollering, track and field athletes Faith Kipyegon and Shericka Jackson, footballer Jennifer Hermoso, track and field athlete Tigist Assefa, and cyclist Lotte Kopecky.