Dubai: Just being nominated for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award is an honour in itself, according to the world's best tennis player Roger Federer.
"I have always been excited to be nominated for this award. I've won it four times in a row before and it's always been a nice and enjoyable evening for all of us. I am not saying this just because I won but because it brings together many other sporting greats. The awards are something that is very special to an athlete like me," Federer said earlier this week after announcing his withdrawal from the 2010 Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships due to a lung infection on Sunday.
Last year's winner Usain Bolt and four-time winner Federer were both among the world's top sportsmen who were nominated for the annual award by Laureus World Sports Academy Chairman Edwin Moses along with fellow members Kapil Dev and Mika Hakkinen in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. Other top sportsmen included this year are FC Barcelona's precocious young talent Lionel Messi, long distance runner Kenenisa Bekele, Tour de France winner Alberto Contador and Italy's seven-time senior Moto GP champion Valentino Rossi.
And even if Federer wins it a record fifth time, his schedule will stop him from attending the gala night that he loves so much.
"This year unfortunately I won't be able to be there because I'll probably be in Indian Wells at that time," Federer said.
"Of course, I'd love to win the award again and going by the list, the competition is still stiff as usual. And that's the way it is supposed to be and that's why it is so special to be even nominated."
However, he found nothing wrong in being weighed along with other sportsmen who are involved in team sports.
"We always compare different sports with each other. It's nice to see that there is another platform for the athletes to get together and be compared."
