The 2017 Friday column sports awards

Now an annual institution, the Friday column dishes out its award for the best and worst in sport across the globe

Rafael Nadal took the men's singles title at Flushing Meadows. Pic: Getty.ie

We’ve hit the tail end of the year and it’s time, as ever, to recognise those who stood out for better or worse in the world of sport over the past year.

Individual sports person of the year - International - Rafael Nadal

For the second straight year this gong goes to a tennis star, but not the one anybody was expecting at the start of the year. The Spaniard appeared to be ...