Roger Federer is in the running to take his fifth sportsman of the year title after being named on Thursday on the shortlist for the Laureus Sports Awards.
The awards, to be held on March 10, recognise achievements in 2009 — a year in which Federer surpassed Pete Sampras for the most tennis grand slam singles titles by winning his sixth Wimbledon crown, as well as taking his first French Open title.
Federer won the Laureus award for four straight years until Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt took it out last year. Bolt is on the shortlist again for his three golds at the athletics World Championships.
Ethiopian athlete Kenesisa Bekele became the first man to win the 5