Michael Schumacher, winner of the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2004, failed to make it a 'double', when he lost out to Swiss tennis star, Roger Federer, last night.

There was an emotional reception at the Awards Ceremony however, for Alessandro Zanardi, who won the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award after courageously returning to the track after a horrific motor racing accident in which he lost both his legs.

Following a disappointing come back to F1, Zanardi switched back to CART racing, and his accident in the European Memorial CART race in Lausitz in Germany in 2001 was one of the worst ever seen. His car spun coming out of the pits and it was hit by another coming down the straight at 200mph. Zanardi, 38, returned to motor racing in October 2003, finishing seventh in the European Touring Car Championship race at Monza. In 2004 he completed a full season in the championship, racing at speeds of up to 240kmh and has already signed to race again in 2005.

Laureus World Sports Academy member and double Formula One World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi said: "I would pay special tribute to Alessandro. To achieve what he has done and come back to racing is an awesome achievement. Physically it has been challenging, but the mental pressures must have been enormous. I am full of admiration for his courage and his determination." Dr. Claudio Costa, who has overseen his rehabilitation since the accident, says: "Alessandro Zanardi is letting all the people in his condition know what they can do. His example sends a message to humanity."