Nadal snaps Federer's run of ATP sportsmanship awards

The ATP announced its year-end awards at a ceremony in London this week, with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer unsurprisingly taking home the top honors. A few of the selected awards:

Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award: Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer had won this award for six consecutive years, but this time around players gave Rafa the nod instead. It's a fine choice, as Rafa is always gracious in victory and defeat. But it's sort of surprising given all the chatter about the coaching Nadal receivers during matches. In the grand scheme of things, Uncle Toni flashing some signs isn't a big deal, nor should it taint Nadal's record, legacy or reputation. It's the tennis equivalent of jaywalking. But is it sportsmanlike? 

Most Improved Player of the Year: Andrey Golubev

Four months ago, you'd have thought Tomas Berdych had this one sealed. But a late-season swoon opened the door for the 23-year-old from Kazakhstan, who jumped 100 spots to a career-high of No. 33 last month.

Newcomer of the Year: Tobias Kamke

Keeping up German domination of this award (three times in past seven years), Kamke earned the award after jumping to No. 67 from No. 254. 

Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year: Rohan Bopanna and Aisam Ul-Haq Qureshi

The Indo-Pak Express were an easy choice after a year in which they drew attention to their efforts to build a relationship between their two nations with their "Stop War, Start Tennis" motto.

ATPWorldTour.com Fans' Favourite (singles): Roger Federer

Federer earned 47 percent of the vote to rank ahead of Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

ATPWorldTour.com Fans' Favourite (doubles): Bob Bryan & Mike Bryan

The chest-bumping Bryans got 44 percent of the vote, a stunning total which indicates that 56 percent of people were able to name another doubles team.

Brooke Burke Thandie Newton Liz Phair Aaliyah Katherine Heigl