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Rafael Nadal of Spain and Serena Williams of USA have been declared as the players of the year by French sports daily L’Equipe.
Nadal has been selected for his come back after seven months away from the courts suffering from knee injury to win the French Open, US Open and five Masters series titles and then took over as world no. 1 spot relegating Novak Djokovic to no 2 position.
Ageing Serena Williams displayed the best of her career, winning her second French Open as well as the US Open to take her haul of Grand Slam titles to 17.
Although Nadal acknowledged the award with delight for the second time in his career, he said he would have personally voted for Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel, who won the drivers' title for the fourth straight year.
L’Equipe chose Wimbledon winner Marion Bartoli as its sportswoman of the year with the men’s award going to basketball star Tony Parker, who led France to the European title.
L’Equipe chose Wimbledon winner Marion Bartoli as its sportswoman of the year with the men’s award going to basketball star Tony Parker, who led France to the European title.
