World number one Rafael Nadal of Spain and Jelena Jankovic of Serbia were honoured as World Champions for 2008 by the International Tennis Federation.

Nadal becomes the first Spanish man to be named World Champion following Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario who was Women�s World Champion in 1994.�It has been an incredible year for me and I will never forget all that�s happened.To finish the year ranked No. 1 is really special.�said Nadal

He added " I am proud to win the Olympic gold medal, and help Spain regain the Davis Cup. It has been a wonderful year for Spanish sport, and I am happy to have been part of it.�

Jankovic becomes Serbia�s first Singles World Champion after securing the year-end No. 1 ranking WTA tour.Jankovic said: "I am very proud of myself for all I have accomplished in 2008 and am delighted to be named ITF World Champion. I worked really hard this year and to finish No.1 is where I want to be and where I want to stay. It was also an honour to represent Serbia in the Beijing Olympics and I hope I can achieve further success for my country in Fed Cup."

The ITF World Champions will receive the awards at the annual ITF World Champions Dinner on Tuesday 2 June, in Paris, during Roland Garros.