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There were many sporting highlights for Australia in 2019, which included major events such as the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Cricket World Cup and the Rugby World Cup.

It was a breakout year for Brisbane born tennis player Ash Barty. Barty won the French Open, becoming Australia's first Roland-Garros singles champion for 46 years. She became the first Australian woman to reach the top of the rankings since seven-times grand slam champion Goolagong Cawley reached the sport's pinnacle for two weeks in 1976. She also won the WTA player of the year award, and at the AIS Sport Performance Awards she was awarded the Australian Female Athlete of the Year, Sport Personality of the Year and Sporting Moment of the Year.

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In other tennis results, Australia lost the Federation Cup final against France. The team was hoping to break the drought, having not won since 1974, when Evonne Goolagong, Dianne Fromholtz and Janet Young defeated the United States 2-1 in Italy.

The Cricket World Cup will be remembered for the nail-biting finish in the final between England and New Zealand. Australia had lost its semi final to England. Fortunately, the Australian team was able to redeem themselves in an entertaining Ashes Test series. The highlight was Steve Smith's comeback to Test cricket, his series total of 774 runs at 110.57 had him working his way back on top of the rankings and being compared to Don Bradman.

Our national women's football team, the Matildas, had a disappointing Women's FIFA World Cup tournament. They were favourites to win their group, though started badly with a loss to Italy in last seconds in their first match. They still made their way through to the final 16 of the World Cup, thanks to an inspiring effort by captain Sam Kerr, who scored four goals in their match against Jamaica. Kerr made history becoming the first Aussie, male or female, to ever score a hat-trick in a football World Cup. Despite the team's disappointing finish to the tournament, Kerr cemented her position as one of the world's best women's footballers. She was again shortlisted for the Ballon D'or award.

In front of over 52,000 screaming fans at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, the Boomers created history, defeating the USA basketball team 98-94 for the first time in their 55-year history, America's first loss in 13 years and 78 games. Starring for Australia was San Antonio Spurs star Patty Mills. They followed up this form at the basketball World Cup, just falling short of reaching their first World Cup final after European giants Spain claimed a thrilling 95-88 double overtime victory in their semi-final.

For the third consecutive year, Rio 2016 weightlifter Tia-Clair Toomey was crowned the "Fittest Woman on Earth" claiming three Crossfit titles across 2017, 2018 and 2019. Toomey is the first woman to ever achieve that feat.

It was a black day for Australian rugby league but a bright one for Tonga, with the Pacific Islanders shocking the Kangaroos 16-12 at New Zealand's Eden Park in an International Test Match. The loss was Australia's first defeat to a side other than New Zealand, England or Great Britain since going down to France in 1978.

Australia's Ariarne Titmus shook up the swimming world order, upsetting American great Katie Ledecky to claim the 400m freestyle gold at the World Swimming Titles in South Korea. However, more media attention was focused out of the pool, with Mack Horton refusing to share the podium with the winner of his race, Sun Yang, who had faced accusations of doping.

An Australian world champion that is not well known is professional ten-pin bowler Jason Belmonte. He plays on the PBA Tour in the United States and one of Australia's most successful athletes. In 2019, was named PBA Player of the Year for the fifth time, and this year won his 11th major championships.

Aussie surfer Sally Fitzgibbons became world number one, while seven-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore made history taking out her 31st Championship Tour title.

The 2019 Don Award, which recognises the sporting achievement of the year which has inspired the people of Australia, was awarded to tennis player Ash Barty. This year's nominees include tennis grand slam champions Dylan Alcott OAM and Ashleigh Barty, 2018 NRL premiership hero Cooper Cronk, three-time Tour de France stage winner Caleb Ewan, 2018 world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore, Bathurst 1000 2018 winner Craig Lowndes OAM, Ashes winners Ellyse Perry and Tim Paine, and swimming world champion Ariarne Titmus. Also at the awards, Louise Sauvage became the first Paralympian to be anointed a Legend of Australian Sport.

2019 also marks the end of a successful athletics career for hurdler Sally Pearson. After injuries have hampered her performances in recent years, she announced her retirement.

Notable deaths in Australian sport for 2019 include Tennis great Peter McNamara, and AFL legend Polly Farmer.

Below is a timeline of some significant results for Australian and Australian athletes in the world of sport for the year 2019.

If you have a correction or know of events that should be included here, please let me know.

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Related Pages

• 2019 World Sports Highlights
• Australian Sport Timeline
• Timeline (all years) in the world of sport
• 2019 Calendar of Major Sporting Events