Sports events of the year

England claim Ashes
January 7:
Dominant England claimed their first Ashes series in Australia in 24 years, with their third innings victory over the home team in the final Sydney Test
Messi is best player again
January 11:
Argentina’s Lionel Messi won the World Player of the Year for the second time in a row and Jose Mourinho walked off with the coach’s award, leaving Spain’s World Cup winners disappointed.
India win world cup
April 2:
India’s cricket team beats Sri Lanka to win the World Cup. The victory came after 28 years when India had defeated the West Indies in London in 1983.
Chennai defend IPL title
May 28:
Chennai Super Kings successfully defended the Indian Premier League (IPL) title. In the final, Chennai defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Nadal wins French Open
June 5:
Spain’s Rafael Nadal defeated Swiss Roger Federer 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 in the French Open men’s final at Roland Garros in Paris. Nadal’s love affair with clay continues.
Ronaldo ends career
June 8:
Former world footballer of the year Ronaldo ended his international career with a 15-minute appearance as a substitute in Brazil’s 1-0 win over Romania in a friendly match.
Bhutia says goodbye
August 24:
Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia announced his retirement. The Sikkimese Sniper plans to expand his football school throughout the country.
Kvitova is grass boss
July 2:
Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic defeats Russia’s Maria Sharapova in the Wimbledon women's singles final at London
Djokovic becomes Wimbledon champ
July 3:
Serbia's Novak Djokovic wins his first Wimbledon title by beating defending champion Rafael Nadal.
Hockey players banned
August 27:
Hockey India bans senior players Sandeep Singh and Sardar Singh for two years on grounds of indiscipline.
Vettel is the F1 winner
October 9:
Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel becomes Formula One’s youngest double world champion at age 24 after finishing third in the Japanese Grand Prix, won by McLaren rival Jenson Button.
NZ wins Rugby world cup
October 23: Host New Zealand edge out France 8-7 in the final at Eden Park and win the rugby World Cup for the second time after 24 years.
Pak players jailed
November 3:
Three Pakistani cricketers, Salman Butt (24 months), Mohammed Asif (12 months) and Mohammed Amir (6 months), are sentenced to jail terms for spot-fixing.
Federer wins Paris masters
November 13:
Roger Federer wins the Paris Masters for the first time by defeating Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-1, 7-6 (3).