The 21-year-old Polish world No. 1 , coached by countryman Tomasz Wiktorowski , had an outstanding season this year, winning eight tournaments, including two Grand Slam titles.
Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis was voted runner-up, while Dutch Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen came in third in the poll held by PAP among journalists from news agencies across Europe.
The second-highest rated Polish athlete, football player Robert Lewandowski , was voted in 37th place .
Survey for the best sportsperson of the year in Europe 🔽 Pole at the top 🔝 https://t.co/28E60D17Sn
— Sport PR (@sportradiopl) December 26, 2022
Journalists from 20 European news agencies, including Germany’s DPA and Ukraine’s Ukrinform, selected their picks for the top 10 athletes in Europe.
The PAP poll, now in its 65th year, is one of the oldest of its kind worldwide, according to the Polish news agency.
Polish athletes have previously won four times. Lewandowski was voted European athlete of the year 2020, while l long-distance runner Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak won when the poll was first held in 1958. Track-and-field legend Irena Szewińska , Poland’s most decorated Olympic athlete, won twice, in 1966 and 1974 .
