Lleyton Hewitt came out for this year's Australian Open in January wearing his cap backwards and still shouting his iconic catch cry, "Come ooon!". But it would be his last match at the tournament, going down to Spaniard David Ferrer in the second round. The youngest-ever world number one, .
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The indomitable Novak Djokovic managed what Hewitt never could at Melbourne Park, winning his sixth Australian Open. In the women's final, German Angelique Kerber stepped up to the spotlight, .
The year began with hope for Australia's cricketers, but they were quickly humbled in the one-day series loss to New Zealand. The Black Caps in his final one-day match. But Australia bounced back 12 days later when Adam Voges helped Australia to a seven-wicket Test win over the Kiwis, confirming Australia's place at the top of the Test cricket rankings.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic has won a record-equalling sixth Australian Open men's crown. Source: AAP
Then came the Twenty20 World Cup in India, where a masterful performance by Virat Kohli would end Australia's hopes of winning a maiden world title. , which took out both the men's and women's trophies on the subcontinent - the Windies women beating Australia's Southern Stars in their final.
In golf, it was a at the US Masters after Jordan Spieth's bogey-filled self-destruction.
Carlos Brathwaite was one of the heroes of the West Indies' World Twenty20 triumph Source: AP
While in football, , defeating the Western Sydney Wanderers 3-1 in the final. In England, Leicester City redefined the fairy tale, overcoming 5,000 to 1 odds to win its first Premier League crown. Now-iconic vision appeared shortly afterward of the Leicester players .
in another final, this time at the French Open. Djokovic secured his career Grand Slam in the process, having won each of the four Grand Slam tournaments, as well as a non-calendar Grand Slam - winning four in a row but not in the same year. .
Dustin Johnson of the United States won his first major tournament, taking the US Open title by three strokes.
Garbine Muguruza beat defending champion Serena Williams 7-5 6-4 in the French Open Final Source: EPA
Soon after that, the world would bid farewell to a boxing legend who transcended sport. Muhammad Ali was a three-time heavyweight world champion and will be remembered as one of the most famous figures of the 20th century. One of his most iconic fights was the against the formidable George Foreman.
It was third time lucky for one of the greats of women's tennis. Serena Williams had lost this year's French and Australian open finals but . While Andy Murray claimed his second Wimbledon crown.
In football, Portugal achieved the unimaginable, defeating tournament hosts France in the European Championship final, delivering the country its .
No firsts for Queensland which in 11 years. Nor for Chris Froome at the Tour de France. The British rider collected his third title at the great race.
Portugal celebrate after winning Euro 2016 Source: Getty Images
At the British Open, Henrik Stenson became the first man from Sweden to win a major while Jimmy Walker beat Jason Day by a stroke to claim the PGA Championship.
Back to tennis and Stan Wawrinka reminded us what he's still capable of, .
While Angelique Kerber underscored her ascendancy with a trophy in New York.
In Rio, Australia's Olympians got off to a strong start but were forced to fend off criticism after a 10th-place finish on the medal tally. Our Paralympians more than doubled that haul - 22 gold in their treasure chest.
Australia's Mack Horton celebrates after winning the 400m Freestyle Final Source: Getty Images
Australia was then gripped by underdog fever. In the AFL it was in their victory over the Sydney Swans. While in the NRL, Cronulla Sharks fans rejoiced after an , defeating the Melbourne Storm in the decider.
In the Melbourne Cup, after 3,200 metres, it came down to a nose between Almandin and Heartbreak City - the former claiming the glory.
The Western Bulldogs claimed a second AFL premiership cup with a thrilling win over Sydney Source: AAP
In baseball, the Chicago Cubs were out to break one of sport's great hoodoos when they faced the Cleveland Indians in the World Series - their first appearance since 1945.
It seemed the dream of a first World Series win since 1908 would remain as such after the Cubs were three games to one down in the seven game series.
But Chicago rallied, winning the final three games and writing one of 2016's great sport fairy tales.
The summer of cricket arrived with hope for Australia but brought much dispair. South Africa dominated the Test series on the field and in the headlines after their captain Faf du Plessis was charged with ball tampering.
Though there was a silver lining for Australia with victory in the third Test after a team shake-up.
It helped strengthen belief that perhaps the summer wouldn't be so dark after all.
