SNTV takes a look back at the major sporting events of the past twelve months....

Tennis in 2015 was dominated by two names; Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams.

Djokovic lived up to his status as world number one in the men's game by winning the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US open titles. He did reach the final of the French Open but was surprisingly beaten by Stan Wawrinka.

Meanwhile, Serena Williams took her tally of Grand Slam titles to 21 by winning the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles. She could only make the semi-finals of the US open, but 2015 was still a formidable year for the American.

Another big winner this year was Chris Froome who claimed his second Tour de France victory in July - the first British rider to achieve the feat. Froome beat Colombia's Nairo Quintana to the yellow jersey by 72 seconds with Spain's Alejandro Valverde third. The win for Froome means a Briton, and Team Sky, have now won three of the last four of cycling's showpiece races.

In Golf American Jordan Spieth won the Masters tournament on home soil in Augusta. The Masters was the 21-year-old's first major title win, and he quickly followed this up with his second major victory in the US Open. Meanwhile, another American Zach Johnson was victorious in the Open Championship which was played out in wet conditions in Scotland.

England's cricketers had an up and down year, but they did manage to reclaim the Ashes on home soil. England claimed a 3-2 series win. Pace bowler Stuart Broad was a standout performer for England and almost single handedly bowled out Australia for just 60 runs in the fourth test. The Ashes victory helped alleviate some of the pressure on under-fire captain Alistair Cook who survived calls for him to be removed from his position.

Across the Atlantic in the United States the New England Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks to win the Superbowl in February. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady played an astonishing match and was named as the game's most valuable player.

Athletics was rocked by numerous allegations of doping in 2015 with British athlete Mo Farah put under the spotlight when allegations of wrong doing were made against his coach Alberto Salazar. However, there was nothing to suggest that the Olympic champion had done anything illegal himself. It was business as usual for Usain Bolt who won gold in the 100m and 200m at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing. The Jamaican was lucky to escape without injury after he collided with a camera man on a Segway. Thankfully he emerged unharmed.

The Formula one paddock came together in July for the funeral of Jules Bianchi. The young French driver tragically died this year from injuries he sustained in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. The funeral took place in Bianchi's native France and was attended by a number of current F1 drivers.

December saw two massive stories erupt. Oscar Pistorious was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The South African was originally charged with manslaughter, but this verdict was overturned in December by a panel of judges. Pistorious will remain under house arrest until his sentencing in April 2016.

Meanwhile, disgraced FIFA President Sepp Blatter was dramatically banned from soccer for eight years as part of investigations into corruption at the organising body. Blatter's ban related to a payment made to UEFA chief Michel Platini who was also hit with an eight year ban. This story looks set to rumble into the New Year with both men set to appeal their bans.