The Associated Press (AP) established the first Athlete of the Year award in 1931. A panel of AP sports editors from across the United States selects the annual recipients of the award through a voting process. The inclusive voting system allows non-American athletes to be eligible for this prestigious honor.
This year, in the race for the title of AP Athlete of the Year, Serbian tennis maestro Novak Djokovic found himself sharing second place with Argentinean football sensation Lionel Messi. Both athletes secured 16 votes, trailing behind Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani, who clinched the top spot with 20 votes.
This marked Ohtani’s second win in three years, emphasizing his exceptional contributions to both the Los Angeles Angels and Japan’s world baseball classic team. Despite Djokovic and Messi’s commendable performances, it was Ohtani’s unparalleled feats in 2023 that garnered him the prestigious title.
Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year 2023:
Ohtani edged Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi and tennis great Novak Djokovic for the AP honor in voting by a panel of (87) sports media professionals from across the United States.https://t.co/KORldV3edE pic.twitter.com/qRpBtEbucg
— C Kristjánsdóttir ●🐊 (@CristinaNcl) December 22, 2023
The accolade recognized Ohtani’s remarkable dual abilities in the sport, earning him the title of AP male athlete in 2023. Notably, Ohtani’s achievements overshadowed those of renowned athletes, including Djokovic and Messi, showcasing the Japanese sensation’s impact on the global sports stage.
Ohtani’s ascendancy underlined his status as one of the most extraordinary talents, earning him this coveted accolade for his exceptional skills in both pitching and hitting. Djokovic and Messi shared the spotlight for a tie at second place in the voting. However, it is to be noted that in the award’s 93-year history, only eight non-American men have won the award. The last tennis player to receive it was John McEnroe back in 1981.
Novak Djokovic’s reflection on global recognition in sports
In the aftermath of his historic 24th Grand Slam victory at the US Open, Novak Djokovic offered his perspective on the debate surrounding the greatest sportsperson of all time. Despite standing at the pinnacle of tennis history with an unprecedented record, Djokovic remained humble when pressed on the question of whether he is the best in all of sports.
Rather than giving a clear answer, Djokovic said that he would rather leave it for others to decide, stating, “I leave that to you guys and all the others, whether I deserve to be a part of that debate.”
🇷🇸 Novak Djokovic:
“If I wasn’t from Serbia, I’d have been glorified on a sporting level many years ago, especially in the west”https://t.co/uMyzurkLxW
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) September 11, 2023
Nevertheless, he further added intriguingly, expressing, “One thing is a fact, though – if I wasn’t from Serbia, I’d have been glorified on a sporting level many years ago, especially in the West.”
This adds a unique perspective to his sports journey, making one think about the different factors that influence how athletes are acknowledged globally. Djokovic’s words show that getting recognition in sports is a complex mix of achievements, identity, and how the world sees you.