Nadal also won the award in 2011. (©GettyImages). Rafael Nadal was awarded the Best Male Tennis Player over fellow nominees back-to-back recipient Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening.
Nadal, who has been nominated in the illustrious category 10 years in a row, took to Twitter to thank his fans for their support after claiming the prize for the first time since 2011.
"Very happy for this award!" Nadal tweeted.
"Thanks to @ESPYS and to all of you for always supporting me."
ESPYS other winners
Nadal was not the only tennis star strutting his stuff on the night; World No. 9 Bulgarian Grigor Dmitrov accompanied girlfriend Maria Sharapova, who was presented with the Best Female Tennis Player award.
The World No. 2 was also in the running for Best International Athlete up against the likes of women’s golfer Inbee Park, Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 2014 Ballon d’Or winner sealed the greatest international award on offer following his stunning 54 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions for the European champions.
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See Also: ESPY Awards 2014: Full list of winners and results
Nadal’s stunning 2013
Last year saw the 28-year-old secure his best trophy haul since his career-best return of 11 ATP singles titles in 2005.
Nadal swept the court at five Masters events in Cincinnati, Canada, Rome, Indian Wells and Madrid and won the US Open and his eighth Roland Garros trophy.
Nadal, who has lost just twice this season, has enjoyed a familiar sense of dominance on the court in 2014. The 14-time Grand Slam champion successfully defended his crown at the Madrid Masters and French Open, and also claimed the Doha-based Exxon Mobile Open and Rio Open in Brazil.
US Open preparation
With the US Open getting underway late next month, Nadal has not played since bowing out in the last 16 of Wimbledon three weeks ago.
The 2008 and 2010 champion suffered a stunning four-set loss to the surprise package of the tournament, 19-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios.
Nadal is scheduled to feature at the Rogers Cup hard-court event in Toronto early next month before his quest for 15th major and back-to-back triumphs at Flushing Meadows.
The concluding Grand Slam tournament of the year will begin on 25 August in New York.
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