Gerard has won the award for the second year in a row, with his other accolade coming in 2013.

Gerard, 32, has won one title this year on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour, the Melbourne Wheelchair Tennis Open, held the week before the Australian Open back in January.

Seeded five at the event, he beat Britain's Alfie Hewett 4-6 7-5 6-3.

Gerard also finished runner-up at the French Open at Roland Garros in October, after being defeated by Hewett in three sets.

After receiving the Belgian Paralympian of the Year Award Gerard tweeted: "Thank you to all those who are with me in this adventure, who help and support me."

Gerard is targeting competing at the rearranged Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, now scheduled to take place from August 24 to September 5 2021.

He will be looking to improve on his bronze medal from Rio 2016.