As 2013 comes to a close, it's time to look at the sportsmen and women who hung their boots this year.
As we count down to the New Year 2014, in the world of sports a number of well loved sports persons called it a day. As we wait for the Sokhi Winter Olympics, the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the T20 World Cup as well as anticipate the new tennis, F1 and MotoGP championships, here is a tribute the men and women sports fans will miss seeing in 2014.
Sachin Tendulkar
The cricket legend bid a teary farewell to the game he loved in November this year as he decided to retire from cricket drawing curtains on his 24 year long career. Cricket's greatest batsman - Sachin Tendulkar saw many come and pay tribute to him as he left on a high with his team beating West Indies as he scored a handy 70 odd runs in the last match.
In 2014, Team India will be seen in action in all three formats of the game but the man, the legend who is a cricket god in the country - Sachin Tendulkar will not be seen on the cricket pitch in the Indian colours.
Yelena Isinbayeva
Her name is synonymous with the art and sport of pole vaulting. After winning gold medal at the World Championships, the pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva called time on her career ending it on a high.
In 2014, this Olympic champion will not be seen in the pole vault arena, which will be a relief to rivals who didn't stand a chance with her in the mix.
David Beckham
More than his career, David Beckham has been a man admired more for his style and his marriage to Posh or Victoria Beckham. A movie - Bend it like Beckham immortalised him in pop culture, but the legend on the field always was special to fans and his teammates.
Playing for Paris St Germain or PSG, Beckham this year with tears in his eyes hung his boots as the football arena saw friends, family and fans of the man bid him farewell. David Beckham the icon lives on but the footballer will not be seen in action and will be missed a lot in 2014.
Michael Hussey
Known as Mr Cricket the world was shocked when Michael Hussey, Australia's most trusty batsman announced his retirement from cricket prior to the Champions Trophy and Ashes in July.
Missed a lot this year, Australia struggled to come to terms with the man who held the top and middle order together with the tail. It seems like with the Ashes win, Australia has found a way to look forward to 2014 without Hussey but fans will surely miss seeing his stroke play and shots.
Mark Webber
F1 driver Mark Webber will not be seen in 2014 as he has decided to hang his helmet. As Sebastian Vettel's partner during his reign as F1 champion in the last four years, Webber has challenged and driven like an ace.
Red Bull racing thanks to Vettel and Webber's brilliance have managed to win the F1 constructor title for four years in a row. A racing driver to the core in the 2014 season, Mark Webber will be missed by fans of true blood racing in F1 which over the years has drastically decreased.
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