In a year marked by extraordinary performance on the court, Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis icon, earned the distinction of Europe’s best athlete for 2023. The honor came from the Polish Press Agency (PAP), which conducts an annual survey to identify the continent’s standout performers based on input from a network of European news agencies. The announcement highlighted Djokovic’s outstanding year and outlined the competitor landscape in the voting, underscoring the broad recognition his achievements received across Europe.
The PAP survey process rests on votes from 21 European news agencies, creating a consensus view of who defined athletic excellence across the continent. Djokovic accumulated 178 points, comfortably ahead of his rivals and signaling a clear verdict from editors and sports reporters who tracked his season. The second-place finisher was Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, who trailed Djokovic by 28 points, followed closely by a prominent track and field record holder in the long jump, who ranked third in the tally. In the overall rankings, Swedish jumper Armand Duplantis placed sixth with 92 points, illustrating the depth of European sports talent acknowledged in the survey.
Djokovic, aged 36, wrapped up the year at the top of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings, reinforcing his status as one of the sport’s most durable and successful competitors. The year saw him claim three of the four Grand Slam titles along with the ATP Finals, a combination that solidified his position at the summit of men’s tennis. In the final standings, another Spanish star, Carlos Alcaraz, finished in second place, with Russian player Daniil Medvedev securing third. The distribution of points in the PAP selection reflected Djokovic’s consistency across major events and his ability to influence major narrative arcs in professional tennis throughout the season.
Djokovic’s record books continue to grow, with the Serbian athlete holding the all-time marks for Grand Slam singles titles and Masters 1000 event wins in the modern era. His career tallies, including a dominant run in Grand Slams that remains ahead of the field, reinforce the perception of Djokovic as a benchmark figure for longevity and peak performance in global tennis. Across the year, observers noted not only the number of titles but also the quality of opponents he defeated and the resilience he demonstrated in key moments, which contributed to his enduring appeal and global relevance within the sport.
Reflecting on the season, coaches, analysts, and fans alike recognized Djokovic’s influence beyond the scoreboard. His presence elevated the level of competition and provided a clear storyline that resonated with audiences across Europe and beyond. While the rankings and records offer measurable proof of success, the broader impact of his career lies in the way he has shaped contemporary tennis culture, inspired younger players, and maintained an elite standard of play through the demands of a demanding schedule and evolving competitive landscape.