Tennis world number ones Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams were given the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Champions award for 2012 at a gala dinner in Parison Tuesday (June 4).

The pair were honoured by ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti for their achievements throughout the year.

Djokovic retained his number one status by winning the Australian Open and reaching the finals of the French and U.S., the Serbian also took silver at the London Olympics.

"I think 2012 was very different from any year I've had in my career because of the fact that I had high expectations of myself, as had everybody else. because of 2011," he said.

"I managed to end the year number one of the world which was a huge achievement, because also in 2012 we had four different grand slam winners and it was an Olympic year and it was a very busy schedule. But I managed to stay consistent with my results through the whole year and I was very proud of my achievement."

Williams' year saw her win the Wimbledon and U.S. singles titles to which she added the Olympic women's singles gold and doubles gold alongside her sister Venus.

"Obviously winning Wimbledon was great, it was my first slam in a year so that was a little while for me but that gold medal was everything I'd ever dreamed of," said Williams, who also won doubles gold in 2000 and 2008.

Presented by Adam Justice