Rafael Nadal, Lindsey Vonn, Zidane win top honors at Laureus Sport Awards

At this year's Laureus Sport Awards, held at Abu Dhabi on Monday, Spain's Tennis World Number 1 Rafael Nadal and USA's Skiing Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn bagged the top honors of 'Sportsman' and 'Sportswoman' of the year, respectively.

Hosted by Hollywood's double Oscar winner actor Kevin Spacey, the event was attended by top celebrities from the sports and entertainment industries.

Nadal's three three Grand Slams in 2010 was enough to beat off competition from Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant, Boxer Manny Pacquiao and Barcelona footballers Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.

Vonn's third consecutive overall World Cup title gave her the top honor over high jumper Blanka Vlasic and tennis superstars Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters and Caroline Wozniacki.

Winners were chosen by 46 top-notch sportsmen who make up the Laureus sports academy and apart from Nadal, Spain's other honor went to their World-Cup winning national soccer team for the 'Team of the Year' award.

France's retired soccer great, Zinedine Zidane, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for a wonderful career in which he won Soccer's top honors such as the World Cup in 1998 and the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002.

The European Ryder Cup team was awarded the Spirit of Sport Award for their win at Celtic Manor while Italy's motorcycle giant Valentino Rossi was awarded the Comeback of the Year for his return to MotoGP within just 41 days of breaking his leg.

Golf's world No. 2, Germany's Martin Kaymer, won the Breakthrough of the Year award his quick rise to No. 2 while American surfer Kelly Slater was the Action Sportsperson of the Year.

Full list of awards:

World Sportsman of the Year - Rafael Nadal (Spain)

World Sportswoman of the Year - Lindsey Vonn (US)

World Team of the Year - Spain World Cup Team

Lifetime Achievement Award - Zinedine Zidane (France)

World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability - Verena Bentele (Germany)

World Breakthrough of the Year - Martin Kaymer (Germany)

World Comeback of the Year - Valentino Rossi (Italy)

World Action Sportsperson of the Year - Kelly Slater (US)

Spirit of Sport Award - European Ryder Cup team

Sport for Good Award - May El-Khalil, founder of the Beirut Marathon