Sport pictures of the year: 2019’s big winners

Jos Buttler celebrates England’s win over New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s

(Image credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

By The Week Staff

last updated 29 December 2019

What a year it’s been for global sport.

14 July 2019: was this the greatest day in British sporting history?

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Many critics had written him off but American golf star Tiger Woods returned to form by winning the Masters in April – his 15th career major and fifth Green Jacket. Described as one of sport’s “greatest ever comebacks”, Woods came into the event without a major win since 2011 and in 2017 he had fallen to 1,199th in the world rankings having suffered from injuries, undergoing back surgery and dealing with personal issues.Picture: David Cannon/Getty Images

A new star emerged in women’s tennis in 2019. American 15-year-old Cori “Coco” Gauff wowed the crowds at Wimbledon as she reached the fourth round. After beating Venus Williams, Magdalena Rybarikova and Polona Hercog, Gauff’s dream run was ended by Simona Halep, who went on to win the women’s singles title. Gauff may not have won Wimbledon but she won the hearts of tennis fans worldwide. Picture: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

On 7 July the United States won the Fifa Women’s World Cup for a record fourth time after beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final in Lyon, France. Megan Rapinoe scored a 61st-minute penalty to set the US on their way and Rose Lavelle made sure of the victory. US co-captain Rapinoe won the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player and the Golden Boot for top goalscorer. Later in the year she also won the women’s Ballon d’Or award. Picture: Elsa/Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton won 11 grands prix in the 2019 Formula 1 season to secure a sixth drivers’ championship. The Mercedes star was in supreme form as he collected 413 points from the 21 races. One major highlight for Hamilton was victory in front of his home fans at the British GP on 14 July. In 2020 he will aim to equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven title wins. Picture: Mark Thompson/Getty Images