Roger Federer and Serena Williams became the most decorated athletes at the Laureus Awards, picking up their fifth wins at the annual awards.

Federer won Sportsman of the Year, and also picked up the Comeback award for coming back from knee surgery to win two Grand Slams in 2017. He also recently won the Australian Open again.

Federer appeared at the awards in Monaco, thanking his team and those involved with his career.

"I hoped to be happy and healthy, just playing tennis again, and then to have the year I had was just something else," he said. "I'd just like to thank all the people that got me back."

The 20-time Grand Slam champion also had a mention of fellow champion Rafael Nadal, with whom he split the Slams in 2017.

"It's because of a guy like him, I think I'm a better player. He could be here tonight standing here with this award because he's an incredible player, incredible friend and incredible athlete," said Federer. "He had an unbelievable year himself."

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Federer called winning two awards a "truly unique honor," with the wins also giving him the most Laureus awards won by any athlete.

"I am delighted and I would like to thank the Laureus Academy for all their support," he added. "It was an unforgettable year for me, to come back after a very difficult 2016 and these awards just make it even more memorable."

Williams won Sportswoman of the Year, winning the Australian Open while pregnant in 2017. She did not play again for the rest of the season.

The Laureus World Sports Awards are chosen by a panel of former athletes and awarded annually in Monaco.

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Federer and Serena pick up their fifth wins at Laureus Sports Awards

Federer and Serena pick up their fifth wins at Laureus Sports Awards

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