Rafael Nadal`s remarkable 2008 was recognised in Spain when he was named as the winner of the Prince of Asturias sports award.

The 22-year-old Mallorcan has taken the tennis world by storm this year, winning eight singles titles to date, including Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the Olympics, while he has also replaced Roger Federer as world number one.

That success has seen Nadal pip the likes of Spain`s Euro 2008-winning squad, plus Olympic superstars Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt and Yelena Isinbayeva to the award.

Last year`s winner was former seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, while previous holders of the title have been Fernando Alonso, Lance Armstrong, Carl Lewis and Spain's 2006 FIBA World Championship-winning basketball squad.